Transfer device, client apparatus, server apparatus, reproduction apparatus and transfer method

ABSTRACT

A technology is disclosed by which, when plural content data are successively transmitted from a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatus through a client apparatus, if the transmission is interrupted, the transmission of the content data can be resumed from the point at which the transmission is interrupted. The transfer device includes a storage section for storing a transmission object list including content identification information corresponding to plural content data to be transmitted from a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatus connected to a client apparatus through the client apparatus. A reception section successively receives the content data from the server apparatus. A transmission section successively transfers the successively received content data to the reproduction apparatus. A control section deletes, every time content data is transferred, the corresponding content identification information from the transmission object list stored in the storage section.

BACKGROUND

The technology disclosed herein relates to a transfer device, a clientapparatus, a server apparatus, a reproduction apparatus and a transfermethod.

In recent years, a client server system wherein a role which a computeris to play is shared by a client apparatus and a server apparatus isutilized in various scenes. In the client server system, generally auser browses a screen image of the client apparatus and inputs a desiredinstruction to the client apparatus. Then, the client apparatustransmits a request corresponding to the instruction inputted theretofrom the user to the server apparatus. The server apparatus receives therequest transmitted from the client apparatus, executes an operation inaccordance with the request and sends back a result obtained by theexecution as a response to the request to the client apparatus.

Various kinds of information can be transferred between the clientapparatus and the server apparatus. For example, a client server systemis generally known wherein, if a transmission request for content datais transmitted from the client apparatus to the server apparatus, thencontent data retained by the server apparatus is transmitted as aresponse to the transmission request to the client apparatus.

Further, a reproduction apparatus which can reproduce content data hasbeen popularized. In the case where the reproduction apparatus can beconnected to the client apparatus, as content data of a reproductionobject by the reproduction apparatus, for example, content data whichare first transmitted from the server apparatus and received by theclient apparatus and then transferred from the client apparatus andreceived by and retained into the reproduction apparatus can be used.

In such an instance, there is the possibility that, for example, part ofa plurality of content data which can be transmitted from the serverapparatus may already be retained in the reproduction apparatus.Usually, content data retained already in the reproduction apparatusneed not be downloaded from the server apparatus to the reproductionapparatus through the client apparatus again. Therefore, if a functionwhich can distinguish content data retained already in the reproductionapparatus and content data which are not retained in the reproductionapparatus as yet is provided, then the convenience to the user isenhanced. Various techniques for providing such a function as justdescribed have been proposed already, and one of such techniques isdisclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-42253.

SUMMARY

However, for example, the technique disclosed in the document mentionedabove has a problem in that, when a plurality of content data aresuccessively transmitted from the server apparatus to the reproductionapparatus through the client apparatus, if the transmission isinterrupted, then it is difficult to resume the transmission of theplural content data from the point at which the transmission isinterrupted.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a novel and improved technology bywhich, when a plurality of content data are successively transmittedfrom a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatus through a clientapparatus, even if the transmission is interrupted, the transmission ofthe plural content data can be resumed from the point at which thetransmission is interrupted.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the technology disclosedherein, there is provided a transfer device including a storage sectionadapted to store a transmission object list including contentidentification information of plural contents individually correspondingto plural content data to be transmitted from a server apparatus to areproduction apparatus connected to a client apparatus through theclient apparatus, a reception section adapted to successively receivethe plural content data from the server apparatus, a transmissionsection adapted to successively transfer the plural content datasuccessively received by the reception section to the reproductionapparatus, and a control section adapted to delete, every time contentdata is transferred to the reproduction apparatus by the transmissionsection, the content identification information corresponding to thecontent data transferred by the transmission section from thetransmission object list stored in the storage section.

The transfer device may be configured such that the control sectionacquires the content identification information of the plural contentsfrom the transmission object list stored in the storage section andproduces a content transmission request including the acquired contentidentification information; the transmission section transmits thecontent transmission request produced by the control section to theserver apparatus; and the reception section successively receives theplural content data as a response to the content transmission requestfrom the server apparatus.

In this instance, the transfer device may be configured such that thereception section can receive, after transfer of the plural content datato the reproduction apparatus is interrupted, a resumption request toresume the transfer of the plural content data to the reproductionapparatus; the control section acquires, when the resumption request isreceived by the reception section, content identification information ofone or plural contents included in the transmission object list afterthe content identification is deleted and then produces a contenttransmission request including the acquired content identificationinformation of the one or the plural contents; the transmission sectiontransmits the content transmission request produced by the controlsection to the server apparatus; the reception section successivelyreceives one or plural content data individually corresponding to thecontent identification information of the one or the plural contentsincluded in the transmission object list after the contentidentification information is deleted by the control section as aresponse to the content transmission request from the server apparatus;and the transmission section successively transfers the one or pluralcontent data successively received by the reception section to thereproduction apparatus.

In this instance, the transfer device may be configured such that thecontrol section acquires, when the resumption request is received by thereception section, content identification information of one or pluralcontents included in the transmission object list after the contentidentification information is deleted and produces a contenttransmission request including the content identification information ofthe one or plural contents.

Or, the transfer device may be configured such that the control sectioncauses the transmission object list after the content identification isdeleted to be retained into the reproduction apparatus, acquires, whenthe resumption request is received by the reception section, contentidentification information of one or plural contents included in thetransmission object list after the content identification information isdeleted from the reproduction apparatus, and then produces a contenttransmission request including the acquired content identificationinformation of the one or plural contents.

Or else, the transfer device may be configured such that the controlsection causes the transmission object list after the contentidentification is deleted to be retained into the server apparatus,acquires, when the resumption request is received by the receptionsection, content identification information of one or plural contentsincluded in the transmission object list after the contentidentification information is deleted from the server apparatus, andthen produces a content transmission request including the acquiredcontent identification information of the one or plural contents.

The transfer device may be configured such that the reception sectioncan receive a starting request indicating that transfer of the pluralcontent data to the reproduction apparatus is to be started; the controlsection acquires, when the starting request is received by the receptionsection, a transmission completion list including content identificationinformation of one or plural contents individually corresponding to oneor plural content data retained in the reproduction apparatus, detectsthe content identification information which is included in thetransmission completion list but is not included in the transmissionobject list, and causes content data identified based on the detectedcontent identification information to be deleted from the reproductionapparatus; and the transmission section transmits the contenttransmission request to the server apparatus after the content data iscaused to be deleted from the reproduction apparatus by the controlsection.

The transfer device may be configured such that the reception sectionreceives the transmission object list edited by the server apparatusfrom the server apparatus; and the storage section stores thetransmission object list received by the reception section.

In this instance, the transfer device may be configured such that thereception section can receive a transmission object list which is beingedited by the server apparatus from the server apparatus; and thetransmission section transmits, when the transmission object list whichis being edited is received by the reception section, the transmissionobject list, which is being edited, received by the reception section tothe reproduction apparatus.

Or, the transfer device may be configured such that the control sectionacquires, when playlist identification information for identifying aplaylist in which content identification information of plural contentsindividually corresponding to plural content data is arranged in areproduction order is included in the transmission object list receivedby the reception section, the content identification information of theplural contents which configures the playlist identified based on theplaylist identification information, and further places the acquiredcontent identification information of the plural contents into thecontent transmission request.

The transfer device may be incorporated in one of the server apparatus,client apparatus and reproduction apparatus.

According to another embodiment of the disclosed technology, there isprovided a client apparatus including a storage section adapted to storea transmission object list including content identification informationof plural contents individually corresponding to plural content data tobe transmitted from a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatusconnected to the client apparatus through the client apparatus, areception section adapted to successively receive the plural contentdata from the server apparatus, a transmission section adapted tosuccessively transfer the plural content data successively received bythe reception section to the reproduction apparatus, and a controlsection adapted to delete, every time content data is transferred to thereproduction apparatus by the transmission section, the contentidentification information corresponding to the content data transferredby the transmission section from the transmission object list stored inthe storage section.

According to a further embodiment of the disclosed technology, there isprovided a server apparatus including a storage section adapted to storea transmission object list including content identification informationof plural contents individually corresponding to plural content data tobe transmitted from the server apparatus to a reproduction apparatusconnected to a client apparatus through the client apparatus, areception section adapted to successively receive the plural contentdata from the server apparatus, a transmission section adapted tosuccessively transfer the plural content data successively received bythe reception section to the reproduction apparatus, and a controlsection adapted to delete, every time content data is transferred to thereproduction apparatus by the transmission section, the contentidentification information corresponding to the content data transferredby the transmission section from the transmission object list stored inthe storage section.

According to a still further embodiment of the disclosed technology,there is provided a reproduction apparatus including a storage sectionadapted to store a transmission object list including contentidentification information of plural contents individually correspondingto plural content data to be transmitted from a server apparatus to thereproduction apparatus connected to a client apparatus through theclient apparatus, a reception section adapted to successively receivethe plural content data from the server apparatus, a transmissionsection adapted to successively transfer the plural content datasuccessively received by the reception section to the reproductionapparatus, and a control section adapted to delete, every time contentdata is transferred to the reproduction apparatus by the transmissionsection, the content identification information corresponding to thecontent data transferred by the transmission section from thetransmission object list stored in the storage section.

According to a yet further embodiment of the disclosed technology, thereis provided a transfer method including storing a transmission objectlist including content identification information of plural contentsindividually corresponding to plural content data to be transmitted froma server apparatus to a reproduction apparatus connected to a clientapparatus through the client apparatus, successively receiving theplural content data from the server apparatus, successively transferringthe successively received plural content data to the reproductionapparatus, and deleting, every time content data is transferred to thereproduction apparatus, the content identification informationcorresponding to the transferred content data from the storedtransmission object list.

With the disclosed technology, when plural content data are successivelytransmitted from the server apparatus to the reproduction apparatusthrough the client apparatus, even if the transmission is interrupted,the transmission of the plural content data can thereafter be resumedfrom the point at which the transmission is interrupted.

The above and other features and advantages of the technology disclosedherein will become apparent from the following description and theappended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich like parts or elements denoted by like reference characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an informationprocessing system according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosedtechnology;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing whencontent data retained in a server apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used by adifferent client apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an example of various kindsof information retained in a first client apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing whencontent identification information is registered into the serverapparatus by the first client apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing when aplaylist is registered into the server apparatus by the first clientapparatus;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing whencontent data is used by a second client apparatus shown in FIG. 1 inaccordance with a playlist registered in the server apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thefirst client apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of theserver apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thesecond client apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating services provided by thecomponents of the information processing system;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an example of various kindsof information retained in the server apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example of a display image in thecase where information relating to content data retained in the serverapparatus is displayed;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of a screen imagedisplayed before transfer of content data from the server apparatus tothe reproduction apparatus through a client apparatus is started;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example of a screen imagedisplayed while content data are transferred from the server apparatusto the reproduction apparatus through the client apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing an example of a screen imagedisplayed while transfer of content data from the server apparatus tothe reproduction apparatus through the client apparatus is interrupted;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thereproduction apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thetransfer device;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an example of a transmission object listused by the transfer device;

FIG. 19 is a similar view but illustrating an example of a target listused by the transfer device;

FIG. 20 is a similar view but illustrating an example of a transmissioncompletion list used by the transfer device;

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processingexecuted when the reproduction apparatus is connected to the transferdevice;

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processingexecuted while a transmission object list is being edited by the serverapparatus;

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing (part1) executed when a request to start transfer of a plurality of contentdata is received;

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing (part2) executed when a request to start transfer of a plurality of contentdata is received;

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing whichis executed while transfer of a plurality of content data is executed;

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing whichis executed when transfer of a plurality of content data is completed;

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing (part1) which is executed when a request to resume transfer of a plurality ofcontent data is received;

FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a flow of processing (part2) which is executed when a request to resume transfer of a plurality ofcontent data is received;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the server apparatus;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the client apparatus; and

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the reproduction apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the disclosed technology isdescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be noted that the description is given in the following order.

1. Embodiment

1-1. Configuration of the Information Processing System

1-2. Process by a Different Client Apparatus of Using Content Data

1-3. Example of Various Kinds of Information Retained in the FirstClient Apparatus

1-4. Process by the First Client Apparatus of Registering ContentIdentification Information

1-5. Process by the First Client Apparatus of Registering a Playlist

1-6. Process by the Second Client Apparatus of Using Content Data

1-7. Functional Configuration of the First Client Apparatus

1-8. Functional Configuration of the Server Apparatus

1-9. Functional Configuration of the Second Client Apparatus

1-10. Services Provided by the Individual Apparatus

1-11. Example of Various Kinds of Information Retained by the ServerApparatus

1-12. Example of Display of Information Relating to Content Data

1-13. Example of a Screen Image Displayed before Start of Content DataTransfer

1-14. Example of a Display Screen Displayed during Content Data Transfer

1-15. Example of a Display Screen Displayed upon Interruption of ContentData Transfer

1-16. Functional Configuration of the Reproduction Apparatus

1-17. Functional Configuration of the Transfer device

1-18. Example of a Transmission Object List

1-19. Example of a Target List

1-20. Example of a Transmission Completion List

1-21. Process Executed upon Connection of the Transfer device

1-22. Process Executed upon Editing of a Transmission Object List

1-23. Process Executed upon Reception of a Starting Request (Part 1)

1-24. Process Executed upon Reception of a Starting Request (Part 2)

1-25. Process Executed upon Execution of Transfer

1-26. Process Executed upon Completion of Transfer

1-27. Process Executed upon Re-Starting of Transfer (Part 1)

1-28. Process Executed upon Re-Starting of Transfer (Part 2)

1-29. Example of the Hardware Configuration of the Server Apparatus

1-30. Example of the Hardware Configuration of the Client Apparatus

1-31. Example of the Hardware Configuration of the ReproductionApparatus

2. Modification

3. Summary

1. EMBODIMENT 1-1. Configuration of the Information Processing System

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an information processing systemaccording to a preferred embodiment of the disclosed technology. Theinformation processing system according to the embodiment is describedbelow with reference to FIG. 1.

The information processing system 10 of the present embodiment includesat least a first client apparatus 100A1 as an example of a clientapparatus 100, and a server apparatus 200. The first client apparatus100A1 and the server apparatus 200 are connected for communicationthrough a network 30. The information processing system 10 of thepresent embodiment may include a second client apparatus 100A2 asanother example of the client apparatus 100. The second client apparatus100A2 as the example of the client apparatus 100 is connected to theserver apparatus 200 for communication through the network 30.

The first client apparatus 100A1 and the second client apparatus 100A2are used by the same user (hereinafter referred to as “user A”). It isto be noted here that, while it is described that the client apparatus100 used by the user A are two apparatus including the first clientapparatus 100A1 and the second client apparatus 100A2, the number ofclient apparatus 100 used by the user A is not limited to two.

Further, it is assumed that, in the embodiment of the disclosedtechnology, the information processing system 10 includes a differentclient apparatus 100B as an example of the client apparatus 100. Thedifferent client apparatus 100B is used by a user other than the user Aand hereinafter referred to as “user B,” and the different clientapparatus 100B and the server apparatus 200 can communicate with eachother similarly through the network 30. However, the informationprocessing system 10 may otherwise be configured without including thedifferent client apparatus 100B.

Generally, the user A carries out an operation for uploading contentdata used by the first client apparatus 100A1 from the first clientapparatus 100A1 to the server apparatus 200 before the content data isused by the second client apparatus 100A2. Accordingly, labor and timeare generally required for the user A to carry out the operation. In thedescription of the present embodiment, a technique by which the time andlabor for uploading content data, which can be used by the first clientapparatus 100A1, from the first client apparatus 100A1 to the serverapparatus 200 in order to allow the content data to be used by thesecond client apparatus 100A2 can be reduced is described in detail.Functions which the apparatus have in order to implement the techniquejust described are hereinafter described principally with reference toFIGS. 1 to 9. However, the functions are not essentially required.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information processing system 10includes a reproduction apparatus 300. The reproduction apparatus 300 isconnected to a client apparatus 100 such that it can communicate withthe client apparatus 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of thefirst client apparatus 100A1, second client apparatus 100A2 anddifferent client apparatus 100B are connected to the reproductionapparatus 300. However, only it is necessary for at least one of thefirst client apparatus 100A1, second client apparatus 100A2 anddifferent client apparatus 100B to be capable of being connected to thereproduction apparatus 300.

In the description of the present embodiment, also a technique by which,when a plurality of content data are successively transmitted from theserver apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300 through a clientapparatus 100, even if the transmission is interrupted, the transmissionof the content data can be resumed from the point at which thetransmission is interrupted will be described in detail.

1-2. Process by a Different Client Apparatus of Using Content Data

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow of processing when content data retained bythe server apparatus 200 in the present embodiment is used by thedifferent client apparatus 100B. The flow of processing which contentdata used by the server apparatus 200 is used by the different clientapparatus 100B is described with reference to FIG. 2.

The server apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has storedtherein content data C and content identification information I foridentifying the content data C. The content identification information Imay be any information if the content data C can be identified basedthereon. For example, the content identification information I may be anID allocated uniquely to the content data C or the title, the name of aperformer, a genre and so forth of the content data C.

Further, the server apparatus 200 can store individual user registrationinformation T which is registration information for each user. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 2, as the individual user registrationinformation T, individual user registration information TB which isregistration information of the user B who uses the different clientapparatus 100B is registered in advance in the server apparatus 200.

The individual user registration information TB is information whichassociates at least user identification information UB and transmittablecontent information MB with each other. The user identificationinformation UB may be any information if it is for the identification ofthe user B. For example, the user identification information UB may bean ID allocated uniquely to the user B, the name of the user B or thelike. The transmittable content information MB is information for theidentification of content data C which can be transmitted from theserver apparatus 200 to the different client apparatus 100B. Theindividual user registration information TB may additionally include aplaylist P1 associated with the user identification information UB. Theplaylist P1 is information representative of content identificationinformation I of a plurality of contents arranged in the order ofreproduction.

It is assumed here that, for example, the different client apparatus100B transmits a content transmission request including useridentification information UB and content identification information I4by a predetermined operation by the user B who uses the different clientapparatus 100B. When the server apparatus 200 receives the contenttransmission request from the different client apparatus 100B, it refersto the transmittable content information MB registered in associationwith the user identification information UB included in the contenttransmission request. Then, the server apparatus 200 decides whether ornot the content identification information I4 included in the contenttransmission request is registered in the transmittable contentinformation MB.

If the content identification information I4 is registered in thetransmittable content information MB of the individual user registrationinformation TB as seen in FIG. 2, then the server apparatus 200transmits, as a response to the content transmission request, contentdata C4 identified based on the content identification information I4 tothe different client apparatus 100B. However, if the contentidentification information I4 is not registered in the transmittablecontent information MB of the individual user registration informationTB, then the server apparatus 200 can inhibit in principle the contentdata C4 identified with the content identification information I4 frombeing transmitted to the different client apparatus 100B as a responseto the content transmission request.

It is assumed that, as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 2,the individual user registration information TB regarding the user B isregistered in advance and the content identification information I4 isregistered as the transmittable content information MB of the individualuser registration information TB. In this instance, after the differentclient apparatus 100B transmits a content transmission request includingthe user identification information UB and the content identificationinformation I4 to the server apparatus 200, it can receive the contentdata C4 identified based on the content identification information I4.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the content identificationinformation I4 is not registered as the transmittable contentinformation MB of the individual user registration information TB. Inthis instance, if a content transmission request including the useridentification information UB and the content identification informationI4 is transmitted to the server apparatus 200, then the different clientapparatus 100B cannot receive the content data C4 identified based onthe content identification information I4.

1-3. Example of Various Kinds of Information Retained in the FirstClient Apparatus

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of various kinds of information retainedby the first client apparatus 100A1 in the present embodiment. Theexample of various kinds of information retained by the first clientapparatus 100A1 is described below with reference to FIG. 3.

The first client apparatus 100A1 in the present embodiment has storedtherein content data C and content identification information I foridentifying the content data C. Further, the first client apparatus100A1 can store user identification information UA for identifying theuser A who uses the first client apparatus 100A1. The useridentification information UA may be any information if it is for theidentification of the user A. For example, the user identificationinformation UA may be an ID allocated uniquely to the user A, the nameof the user A or the like. The user identification information UA may beregistered in advance in the first client apparatus 100A1 or may beinputted to the first client apparatus 100A1 by the user A when thisbecomes necessary.

Further, the first client apparatus 100A1 can store playlists P. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 3, a playlist P2 and a playlist P3 areregistered in advance as the playlists P in the first client apparatus100A1. The playlists P are information which represents the contentidentification information I of a plurality of contents arranged in theorder of reproduction.

1-4. Process by the First Client Apparatus of Registering ContentIdentification Information

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of processing when content identificationinformation I is registered into the server apparatus 200 by the firstclient apparatus 100A1 in the present embodiment. The flow of processingwhen content identification information I is registered into the serverapparatus 200 by the first client apparatus 100A1 is described withreference to FIG. 4.

For example, it is assumed that the first client apparatus 100A1transmits a registration request including user identificationinformation UA and content identification information I1 to I20 to theserver apparatus 200 by a predetermined operation by the user A who usesthe first client apparatus 100A1. When the server apparatus 200 receivesthe registration request from the first client apparatus 100A1, itdecides whether or not the content identification information I1 to I20included in the registration request is registered therein. Inparticular, the server apparatus 200 carries matching between thecontent identification information I1 to I20 included in theregistration request and the content identification information Iregistered therein.

If it is assumed that such content identification information I asillustrated in FIG. 2 is registered in the server apparatus 200, thenthe server apparatus 200 decides that, from within the contentidentification information I1 to I20 included in the registrationrequest, the content identification information I1, I3, I7, I8, I10 toI15, and I17 to I20 are not registered therein. In other words, theserver apparatus 200 decides that, from within the contentidentification information I1 to I20 included in the registrationrequest, the content identification information I1, I3, I7, I8, I10 toI15, and I17 to I20 are incoincident with the content identificationinformation I registered in the server apparatus 200. In this instance,the server apparatus 200 does not register the individual userregistration information TA, which associates the content identificationinformation I1, I3, I7, I8, I10 to I15, and I17 to I20 and the useridentification information UA with each other, into the individual userregistration information T in principle.

On the other hand, if it is assumed that such content identificationinformation I as illustrated in FIG. 2 is registered in the serverapparatus 200, then the server apparatus 200 decides that, from withinthe content identification information I1 to I20 included in theregistration request, the content identification information I2, I4, I5,I6, I9 and I16 registered therein. In other words, the server apparatus200 decides that, from within the content identification information I1to I20 included in the registration request, the content identificationinformation I2, I4, I5, I6, I9 and I16 coincide with the contentidentification information I registered therein. In this instance, theserver apparatus 200 registers the individual user registrationinformation TA, which associates the content identification informationI2, I4, I5, I6, I9 and I16 and the user identification information UAwith each other, into the individual user registration information T.

1-5. Process by the First Client Apparatus of Registering a Playlist

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of processing when a playlist is registeredinto the server apparatus 200 by the first client apparatus 100A1 in thepresent embodiment. The flow of processing when a playlist is registeredinto the server apparatus 200 by the first client apparatus 100A1 isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 5.

It is assumed that, for example, the first client apparatus 100A1transmits a registration request including user identificationinformation UA and playlists P2 and P3 to the server apparatus 200 by apredetermined operation by the user A who uses the first clientapparatus 100A1. When the server apparatus 200 receives the registrationrequest from the first client apparatus 100A1, it decides whether or notcontent identification information I1, I6 and I11 included in theplaylist P2 included in the registration request are registered in thetransmittable content information MA corresponding to the useridentification information UA included in the registration request. Inparticular, the server apparatus 200 carries out matching between thecontent identification information I1, I6 and I11 included in theplaylist P2 included in the registration request and the transmittablecontent information MA corresponding to the user identificationinformation UA included in the registration request.

If it is assumed that such transmittable content information MA asillustrated in FIG. 5 is registered in the server apparatus 200, thenthe server apparatus 200 decides that, from within the contentidentification information I1, I6 and I11 included in the playlist P2included in the registration request, the content identificationinformation I1 and I11 are not registered in the transmittable contentinformation MA. In other words, the server apparatus 200 decides that,from within the content identification information I1, I6 and I11included in the playlist P2 included in the registration request, thecontent identification information I1 and I11 are incoincident with thetransmittable content information MA registered therein. In thisinstance, the server apparatus 200 does not register the contentidentification information I1 and I11 into the individual userregistration information T in principle.

On the other hand, if it is assumed that such transmittable contentinformation MA as illustrated in FIG. 5 is registered in the serverapparatus 200, then the server apparatus 200 decides that, from withinthe content identification information I1, I6 and I11 included in theplaylist P2 included in the registration request, the contentidentification information I6 is registered therein. In other words, theserver apparatus 200 decides that, from within the contentidentification information I1, I6 and I11 included in the playlist P2included in the registration request, the content identificationinformation I6 coincides with the transmittable content information MAregistered therein. In this instance, the server apparatus 200 registersan individual user registration, which associates the playlist P2 inwhich the content identification information I6 remains but the contentidentification information I1 and I11 do not remain and the useridentification information UA with each other, into the individual userregistration information T.

Similarly, when the server apparatus 200 receives the registrationrequest described above from the first client apparatus 100A1, itdecides whether or not content identification information I2, I4, I7 andI16 included in the playlist P3 included in the registration request areregistered in the transmittable content information MA corresponding tothe user identification information UA included in the registrationrequest. In particular, the server apparatus 200 carries out matchingbetween the content identification information I2, I4, I7 and I16included in the playlist P3 included in the registration request and thetransmittable content information MA corresponding to the useridentification information UA included in the registration request.

If it is assumed that such transmittable content information MA asillustrated in FIG. 5 is registered in the server apparatus 200, thenthe server apparatus 200 decides that, from within the contentidentification information I2, I4, I7 and I16 included in the playlistP3 included in the registration request, the content identificationinformation I7 is not registered in the transmittable contentinformation MA. In other words, the server apparatus 200 decides that,from within the content identification information I2, I4, I7 and I16included in the playlist P3 included in the registration request, thecontent identification information I7 is incoincident with thetransmittable content information MA registered in the server apparatus200. In this instance, the server apparatus 200 does not register thecontent identification information I7 into the individual userregistration information T in principle.

On the other hand, if it is assumed that such transmittable contentinformation MA as illustrated in FIG. 5 is registered in the serverapparatus 200, then the server apparatus 200 decides that, from withinthe content identification information I2, I4, I7 and I16 included inthe playlist P3 included in the registration request, the contentidentification information I2, I4 and I16 are registered therein. Inother words, the server apparatus 200 decides that, from within thecontent identification information I2, I4, I7 and I16 included in theplaylist P3 included in the registration request, the contentidentification information I2, I4 and I16 coincide with thetransmittable content information MA registered therein. In thisinstance, the server apparatus 200 registers an individual userregistration, which associates the playlist P3 in which the contentidentification information I2, I4 and I16 remain but the contentidentification information I7 does not remain and the useridentification information UA with each other, into the individual userregistration information T.

It is to be noted that, while, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, theserver apparatus 200 carries out matching between the playlists P2 andP3 included in the registration request and the transmittable contentinformation MA, the matching method is not limited to this. For example,the server apparatus 200 may carry out matching between the playlists P2and P3 included in the registration request and the contentidentification information I registered in the server apparatus 200. Or,the server apparatus 200 may not carry out matching but may registerinformation, which associates the user identification information UAincluded in the registration request and the playlists P2 and P3 witheach other, as it is into the individual user registration informationT.

1-6. Process by the Second Client Apparatus of Using Content Data

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow of processing when content data are used bythe second client apparatus 100A2 in accordance with a playlistregistered in the server apparatus 200 in the present embodiment. Theflow of processing when content data are used by the second clientapparatus 100A2 in accordance with a playlist registered in the serverapparatus 200 is described with reference to FIG. 6.

As a result of carrying out of the registration processes illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the server apparatus 200 in the present embodiment hasstored therein information which associates the user identificationinformation UA, transmittable content information MA and playlists P2and P3 with each other as shown in FIG. 6.

Here, it is assumed that, for example, the second client apparatus 100A2transmits a content transmission request including the useridentification information UA and the information for identifying theplaylist P3 to the server apparatus 200 by a predetermined operation bythe user A who uses the second client apparatus 100A2. When the serverapparatus 200 receives the content transmission request from the secondclient apparatus 100A2, it refers to a playlist P registered inassociation with the user identification information UA included in thecontent transmission request. Then, the server apparatus 200 acquiresthe content identification information I2, I4 and I16 from the playlistP3 identified based on the information for the identification of theplaylist P3 included in the content transmission request.

Then, the server apparatus 200 acquires content data C2, C4 and C16identified based on the acquired content identification information I2,I4 and I16 from the content data C and successively transmits theacquired content data C2, C4 and C16 to the second client apparatus100A2. The second client apparatus 100A2 successively receives thecontent data C2, C4 and C16 and can stream reproduce the content dataC2, C4 and C16, for example, in the order of the reception.

While the example wherein the second client apparatus 100A2 successivelyreceives the content identification information I2, I4 and I16 includedin the playlist P3 to carry out stream reproduction is described abovewith reference to FIG. 6, the second client apparatus 100A2 mayotherwise directly transmit the content identification information I tothe server apparatus 200. In this instance, for example, the secondclient apparatus 100A2 transmits a content transmission requestincluding the user identification information UA and the contentidentification information I to the server apparatus 200.

When the server apparatus 200 receives this content transmission requestfrom the second client apparatus 100A2, it refers to the transmittablecontent information MA registered in association with the useridentification information UA included in the content transmissionrequest. Then, the server apparatus 200 acquires the content data Cidentified based on the content identification information I included inthe content transmission request. Then, the server apparatus 200acquires the content data C identified based on the acquired contentidentification information I and transmits the acquired content data C2to the second client apparatus 100A2. The second client apparatus 100A2receives the content data C and can, for example, stream reproduce thecontent data C.

It is to be noted here that, while the example wherein the second clientapparatus 100A2 stream reproduces the content data C received from theserver apparatus 200 is described above, the second client apparatus100A2 may not necessarily stream reproduce the content data C receivedfrom the server apparatus 200. Also it is possible for the second clientapparatus 100A2 to retain the content data C received from the serverapparatus 200 and reproduce the content data C offline.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the individual userregistration information TA regarding the user A can be registered intothe server apparatus 200 by the first client apparatus 100A1. It isassumed that the content identification information I2 is registered asthe transmittable content information MA of the individual userregistration information TA. In this instance, the second clientapparatus 100A2 transmits a content transmission request including theuser identification information UA and the content identificationinformation I2 to the server apparatus 200. The second client apparatus100A2 can thus receive the content data C2 identified based on thecontent identification information I2.

On the other hand, the first client apparatus 100A1 may not register thecontent identification information I3 as the transmittable contentinformation MA of the individual user registration information TA. Inthis instance, if a transmission request including the useridentification information UA and the content identification informationI3 is transmitted to the server apparatus 200, then the second clientapparatus 100A2 cannot receive the content data C3 identified based onthe content identification information I3.

According to the embodiment described above, the content identificationinformation I for identifying the content data C which can be used bythe first client apparatus 100A1 can be registered into the serverapparatus 200. In the case where the user A who uses the first clientapparatus 100A1 can use also the second client apparatus 100A2, thesecond client apparatus 100A2 can download the content data C, which isidentified based on the content identification information I registeredby the first client apparatus 100A1, from the server apparatus 200.Consequently, the time and labor for uploading the content data C fromthe first client apparatus 100A1 into the server apparatus 200 in orderto allow the content data C to be used by the second client apparatus100A2 can be reduced.

Further, the protocol used for use of content data may possibly bedifferent between the first client apparatus 100A1 and the second clientapparatus 100A2. In this instance, if content data is transmitteddirectly from the first client apparatus 100A1 to the second clientapparatus 100A2, then the second client apparatus 100A2 must convert thecontent data transmitted from the first client apparatus 100A1 intocontent data suitable for the protocol used by the second clientapparatus 100A2 itself. According to the present embodiment, since it ispossible to register content data C in accordance with a protocol usedby each client apparatus 100 in advance into the server apparatus 200,there is an advantage also that the second client apparatus 100A2 neednot convert the content data C into content data of the format suitablefor the second client apparatus 100A2 itself.

1-7. Functional Configuration of the First Client Apparatus

FIG. 7 shows a functional configuration of the first client apparatus100A1 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology. Thefunctional configuration of the first client apparatus 100A1 isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 7.

The first client apparatus 100A1 at least includes a storage section111, a control section 112, and a transmission section 113 as shown inFIG. 7. As occasion demands, the first client apparatus 100A1 furtherincludes a reception section 114, an inputting section 115, anoutputting section 116, a reproduction section 117 and so forth.

The storage section 111 can store content data and so forth, and contentdata stored in the storage section 111 may be acquired by the controlsection 112. Also content data may be registered into the storagesection 111 by the control section 112. The registration of content datainto the storage section 111 is controlled by the control section 112,for example, based on an operation inputted from the user A through theinputting section 115. The content data to be registered into thestorage section 111 may be those received by the reception section 114or may be those inputted through the inputting section 115. The storagesection 111 is configured from a storage device such as, for example, ahard disk drive (HDD).

The control section 112 has a function of acquiring contentidentification information for identifying content data stored in thestorage section 111. Various methods are available for acquiring contentidentification information for identifying content data stored in thestorage section 111, and the acquisition method is not limitedparticularly. For example, in the case where content identificationinformation is added to the content data stored in the storage section111, the content identification information added to the content datacan be acquired. Or, for example, if an analysis result obtained bycarrying out an analysis of part or the entirety of the content data isinputted, then content identification information can be obtained usinga predetermined server which outputs content identification informationfor identifying the content data based on the analysis result.

The control section 112 further has a function of controlling operationof functioning blocks in the first client apparatus 100A1. The controlsection 112 is configured, for example, from a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and so forth, and the CPU develops aprogram stored in the storage section 111 into the RAM and executes theprogram to implement the functions of the control section 112. However,the configuration of the control section 112 is not limited to this, butthe control section 112 may be configured from hardware for exclusiveuse.

The transmission section 113 has a function of transmitting aregistration request including user identification information foridentifying the user who uses the first client apparatus 100A1 itselfand content identification information acquired by the control section112 to the server apparatus 200. The transmission section 113 furtherhas a function of causing, in the case where the server apparatus 200retains the content data identified based on the content identificationinformation included in the registration request, the server apparatus200 to retain the information, which associates the user identificationinformation and the content identification information included in theregistration request with each other, as individual user registrationinformation. Consequently, content data retained by the first clientapparatus 100A1 and further retained by the server apparatus 200 can bedownloaded from the server apparatus 200 to the second client apparatus100A2. The transmission section 113 is configured, for example, from acommunication device.

Also a case may possibly occur in which the server apparatus 200 doesnot retain the content data identified based on the contentidentification information included in the registration request. In thisinstance, the transmission section 113 may possibly carry out processingin various manners. For example, in the case where the server apparatus200 does not retain the content data identified based on the contentidentification information included in the registration request, thetransmission section 113 may inhibit the retention of the individualuser identification information by the server apparatus 200. By suchinhibition, content data which is retained by the first client apparatus100A1 but is not retained by the server apparatus 200 cannot bedownloaded from the server apparatus 200 to the second client apparatus100A2.

Or, for example, in the case where the server apparatus 200 does notretain the content data identified based on the content identificationinformation included in the registration request, the transmissionsection 113 can cause the server apparatus 200 to retain the individualuser registration information. In this instance, also it is possible forthe transmission section 113 to transmit the content data stored in thestorage section 111 to the server apparatus 200 so that the serverapparatus 200 may retain the content data. By such retention, contentdata which is retained by the first client apparatus 100A1 but is notretained by the server apparatus 200 can be uploaded from the firstclient apparatus 100A1 to the server apparatus 200 and then downloadedto the second client apparatus 100A2.

The storage section 111 may further store a playlist. In this instance,the control section 112 can acquire the playlist stored in the storagesection 111. Further, the transmission section 113 can transmit theplaylist to the server apparatus 200. Then, it is possible for thetransmission section 113 to cause a list obtained by removing contentidentification information which is not included in the individual userregistration information from the playlist to be retained in associationwith the user identification information included in the registrationrequest into the server apparatus 200. By registering the list obtainedby removing the content information not included in the individual userregistration information from the playlist, only content identificationinformation for identifying content data which can be downloaded fromthe server apparatus 200 can be registered as a playlist into the serverapparatus 200.

However, only content identification information for identifying contentdata which can be downloaded from the server apparatus 200 may notnecessarily be registered as a playlist into the server apparatus 200.for example, the transmission section 113 may cause the server apparatus200 to unconditionally retain a playlist stored in the storage section111. In particular, the control section 112 may acquire a playliststored in the storage section 111, and the transmission section 113 maytransmit the playlist further to the server apparatus 200 such that theserver apparatus 200 may retain the playlist in an associatedrelationship with the user identification information. Or, thetransmission section 113 may cause the list obtained by removing contentidentification information which is not included in contentidentification information retained by the server apparatus 200 from theplaylist to be retained in an associated relationship with the useridentification information included in the registration request into theserver apparatus 200.

The reception section 114 has a function of receiving various kinds ofinformation from the server apparatus 200 through the network 30. Thereception section 114 has a function of receiving, for example, if arequest produced by the control section 112 based on an operationinputted through the inputting section 115 is transmitted by thetransmission section 113, a response to the request from the serverapparatus 200. Further, the reception section 114 can receive alsocontent data to be stored into the storage section 111. Further, thereception section 114 can cause content data received from the serverapparatus 200 to be reproduced by the reproduction section 117 under thecontrol of the control section 112. The reception section 114 isconfigured, for example, from a communication device.

The inputting section 115 has a function of accepting an operation fromthe user and outputting the accepted operation as an operation signal tothe control section 112. The inputting section 115 is configured, forexample, from an inputting device. For example, in response to anoperation inputted through the inputting section 115, a correspondingrequest is produced by the control section 112. The request produced bythe control section 112 is transmitted to the server apparatus by thetransmission section 113.

The outputting section 116 has a function of outputting various kinds ofinformation and various requests under the control of the controlsection 112. Further, the outputting section 116 has a function ofoutputting content data reproduced by the reproduction section 117. Forexample, if the content data is sound data, then the outputting section116 may be configured from a sound outputting device such that the soundoutputting device outputs sound based on the sound data. Meanwhile, ifthe content data is image data, then the outputting section 116 may beconfigured from a display device such that the display device outputs animage based on the image data.

The reproduction section 117 can reproduce content data received fromthe server apparatus 200 under the control of the control section 112.For example, the reproduction section 117 can stream reproduce contentdata received from the server apparatus 200. However, the reproductionsection 117 may not necessarily stream reproduce content data receivedfrom the server apparatus 200. The reproduction section 117 mayreproduce content data received from the server apparatus 200 by thereception section 114 by offline reproduction.

1-8. Functional Configuration of the Server Apparatus

FIG. 8 shows a functional configuration of the server apparatus 200 inthe embodiment of the disclosed technology. The functional configurationof the server apparatus 200 is described below with reference to FIG. 8.

The server apparatus 200 includes at least a storage section 240, areception section 210, and a control section 220. As occasion demands,the server apparatus 200 additionally includes a transmission section230.

The storage section 240 can store content data, individual userregistration information and so forth, and content data stored in thestorage section 240 can be acquired by the control section 220. Further,content data can be registered into the storage section 240 by thecontrol section 220. The registration of content data into the storagesection 240 is controlled, for example, by the control section 220. Theserver apparatus 200 can retain various kinds of information, forexample, by storing the various kinds of information into the storagesection 240. Content data to be registered into the storage section 240may be those received by the reception section 210. The storage section240 is configured from a storage device such as, for example, a HDD.

The reception section 210 has a function of receiving various kinds ofinformation and various requests from the first client apparatus 100A1or the second client apparatus 100A2 through the network 30. If arequest is received from the first client apparatus 100A1 or the secondclient apparatus 100A2 through the network 30, then the receptionsection 210 outputs the request to the control section 220, and aresponse to the request is produced by the control section 220. Further,the reception section 210 has a function of receiving registrationinformation from the first client apparatus 100A1. The reception section114 is configured, for example, from a communication device.

The control section 220 has a function of storing, in the case wherecontent data identified based on content identification informationincluded in a registration request received by the reception section 210is stored in the storage section 240, information which associates theuser identification information and the content identificationinformation included in the registration request with each other, asindividual user registration information into the storage section 240.The control section 220 is configured, for example, from a CPU, a RAMand so forth, and the CPU develops a program stored in the storagesection 240 into the RAM and executes the program to implement thefunctions of the control section 220. However, the configuration of thecontrol section 220 is not limited to this, but the control section 220may be configured otherwise by hardware for exclusive use.

The transmission section 230 has a function of transmitting variouskinds of information or various responses to the first client apparatus100A1 or the second client apparatus 100A2 through the network 30 basedon the control by the control section 220. The transmission section 230is configured, for example, from a communication device.

1-9. Functional Configuration of the Second Client Apparatus

FIG. 9 shows a functional configuration of the second client apparatus100A2 in the embodiment of the disclosed technique. In the following,the functional configuration of the second client apparatus 100A2 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

The second client apparatus 100A2 includes at least a control section122, a transmission section 123 and a reception section 124. Further, asoccasion demands, the second client apparatus 100A2 additionallyincludes a storage section 121, an inputting section 125, an outputtingsection 126, a reproduction section 127, and so forth.

The control section 122 has a function of acquiring contentidentification information designated by a user who uses the secondclient apparatus 100A2 as selection information. The control section 122can acquire content identification information, for example, designatedby an operation inputted by the user through the inputting section 125as selection information. The control section 122 further has a functionof controlling operation of the functioning blocks in the second clientapparatus 100A2.

The control section 122 is configured, for example, from a CPU, a RAMand so forth, and the CPU develops a program stored in the storagesection 121 into the RAM and executes the program to implement thefunctions of the control section 122. However, the configuration of thecontrol section 122 is not limited to this, and the control section 122may otherwise be configured from hardware for exclusive use.

The transmission section 123 has a function of transmitting a contenttransmission request including user identification information foridentifying the user and selection information acquired by the controlsection 122 to the server apparatus 200. Further, the transmissionsection 123 has a function of causing, in the case where informationwhich associates the user identification information and the selectioninformation included in the transmitted content transmission requestwith each other is retained as individual user registration informationby the server apparatus 200, the server apparatus 200 to executetransmission of the content data identified based on the selectioninformation as a response to the content transmission request.

Consequently, content data which is retained by the first clientapparatus 100A1 and besides retained by the server apparatus 200 can bedownloaded from the server apparatus 200 to the second client apparatus100A2. The content data transmitted from the server apparatus 200 isreceived by the reception section 124 of the second client apparatus100A2 from which the content transmission request has been transmitted.The transmission section 123 is configured, for example, from acommunication device.

The reception section 124 has a function of receiving various kinds ofinformation from the server apparatus 200 through the network 30. Thereception section 124 has a function of receiving, in the case where arequest produced by the control section 122, for example, based on anoperation inputted through the inputting section 125 is transmitted bythe transmission section 123, a response to the request from the serverapparatus 200. Further, as described hereinabove, the reception section124 can receive also content data to be stored into the storage section121. Further, the reception section 124 can cause content data receivedfrom the server apparatus 200 to be reproduced by the reproductionsection 127 under the control of the control section 122. The receptionsection 124 is configured, for example, from a communication device.

Also a case may possibly occur in which the server apparatus 200 doesnot retain the content data identified based on the contentidentification information included in the content transmission request.In this instance, the transmission section 113 may possibly carry outprocessing in various manners. For example, in the case where the serverapparatus 200 does not retain the selection information included in thecontent transmission request in an associated relationship as contentidentification information with the user identification information, thetransmission section 123 can inhibit the transmission of the contentdata identified based on the selection information by the serverapparatus 200. By such inhibition, content data which is retained by thefirst client apparatus 100A1 but is not retained by the server apparatus200 cannot be downloaded from the server apparatus 200 to the secondclient apparatus 100A2.

The second client apparatus 100A2 may have a function of transmitting aregistration request to the server apparatus 200 to register individualuser registration information into the server apparatus 200. In thisinstance, the second client apparatus 100A2 may further include astorage section 121 which stores content data. Then, the control section122 acquires content identification information for identifying thecontent data stored in the storage section 121 and the transmissionsection 123 transmits a registration request which includes useridentification information for identifying the user A who uses thesecond client apparatus 100A2 and the content identification informationacquired by the control section 122 to the server apparatus 200. If theserver apparatus 200 retains the content data identified based on thecontent identification information included in the registration request,then the transmission section 123 causes the server apparatus 200 toretain information which associates the user identification informationand the content identification information included in the registrationrequest with each other as individual user registration information.

Various methods are available for acquiring content identification datafor identifying the content data stored in the storage section 121, andthe acquisition method is not limited particularly. For example, in thecase where content identification information is added to content datastored in the storage section 121, the content identificationinformation added to the content data can be acquired. Or, for example,if an analysis result obtained by carrying out an analysis of part orthe entirety of the content data is inputted, then contentidentification information can be obtained using a predetermined serverwhich outputs content identification information for identifying thecontent data based on the analysis result.

The storage section 121 can keep content data, playlists and so forthstored therein, and content data stored in the storage section 121 canbe acquired by the control section 122. Further, content data can beregistered into the storage section 121 from the control section 122.The registration of content data into the storage section 121 iscontrolled by the control section 122, for example, based on anoperation inputted from the user A through the inputting section 125.The content data to be registered into the storage section 121 may bethose received by the reception section 124 or may be those inputtedthrough the inputting section 125. The storage section 121 is configuredfrom a storage device such as, for example, a HDD.

The second client apparatus 100A2 may be configured such that it canregister individual user registration information into the serverapparatus 200 similarly to the first client apparatus 100A1. However,the second client apparatus 100A2 may be configured otherwise such thatit can register individual user identification information into theserver apparatus 200 by a method different from that of the first clientapparatus 100A1.

For example, the transmission section 123 transmits a registrationrequest including user identification information for identifying theuser A who uses the second client apparatus 100A2 and contentidentification information acquired by the control section 122 to theserver apparatus 200. Then, if the server apparatus 200 retains thecontent data identified based on the content identification informationincluded in the registration request, then the transmission section 123may allow individual user registration information retained already bythe server apparatus 200 to be continuously retained by the serverapparatus 200 and add the information, which associates the useridentification information and the content identification informationincluded in the registration request with each other, to the individualuser registration information.

By registering the individual user registration information in thismanner, the transmission section 123 can add the difference between thecontent identification information registered already and the contentidentification information included in the registration request to theindividual user registration information registered already in theserver apparatus 200 while the individual user registration informationregistered already in the server apparatus 200 is left. Such aregistration method as just described may be adopted in such a casethat, for example, the user A uses the first client apparatus 100A1 as amain apparatus for registering individual user registration informationinto the server apparatus 200 but uses the second client apparatus 100A2as an incidental apparatus for registering individual user registrationinformation into the server apparatus 200.

The control section 122 can acquire a playlist stored in the storagesection 121, and the transmission section 123 can transmit the playlistto the server apparatus 200. Then, the transmission section 123 cancause the server apparatus 200 to retain a list obtained by removingcontent identification information which is not included in theindividual user registration information from the playlist in anassociated relationship with the user identification informationincluded in the registration request. By registering the list obtainedby removing the content identification information not included in theindividual user identification information from the playlist, only thecontent identification information for identifying the content datawhich can be downloaded from the server apparatus 200 can be registeredas a playlist into the server apparatus 200.

However, only the content identification information for identifyingcontent data which can be downloaded from the server apparatus 200 mustnot necessarily be registered as a playlist into the server apparatus200. For example, it is possible for the transmission section 123 tocause the server apparatus 200 to unconditionally retain the playliststored in the storage section 121. In particular, the control section122 may acquire a playlist stored in the storage section 121, and thetransmission section 123 may transmit the playlist to the serverapparatus 200 so that the playlist is retained in an associatedrelationship with the user identification information into the serverapparatus 200. Or, the transmission section 123 may cause a listobtained by removing content identification information which is notincluded in the content identification information retained by theserver apparatus 200 from the playlist to be retained in an associatedrelationship with the user identification information included in theregistration request into the server apparatus 200.

The inputting section 125 has a function of accepting an operation froma user and outputting the accepted operation as an operation signal tothe control section 122. The inputting section 125 is configured, forexample, from an inputting device. Based on an operation inputted, forexample, through the inputting section 125, a request is produced by thecontrol section 122 and transmitted to the server apparatus 200 from thetransmission section 123.

The outputting section 126 has a function of outputting various kinds ofinformation or various requests under the control of the control section122. Further, the outputting section 126 has a function of outputtingcontent data reproduced by the reproduction section 127. For example, ifthe content data is sound data, then the outputting section 126 may beconfigured from a sound outputting device, which outputs sound based onthe sound data. On the other hand, if the content data is image data,then the outputting section 126 may be configured from a display device,which outputs an image based on the image data.

The reproduction section 127 can reproduce content data received fromthe server apparatus 200 under the control of the control section 122 asdescribed hereinabove. While the reproduction section 127 can, forexample, stream reproduce content data received from the serverapparatus 200, it may not necessarily reproduce content data receivedfrom the server apparatus 200. The reproduction section 127 canreproduce content data received from the server apparatus 200 by thereception section 124 by offline reproduction.

1-10. Services Provided by the Individual Apparatus

FIG. 10 illustrates various services provided by the components of theinformation processing system 10 according to the embodiment of thedisclosed technology. The services provided by the components of theinformation processing system 10 are described below with reference toFIG. 10.

As seen in FIG. 10, content data C exist on a cloud. The cloud in thepresent embodiment corresponds to the storage section 240 of the serverapparatus 200. A Web application 221 is an interface for enjoying acloud service from an on-line apparatus such as a PC (personalcomputer). In the present embodiment, the on-line apparatus correspondsto a client apparatus 100, and the Web application 221 is forimplementing some of the functions of the control section 220 of theserver apparatus 200. It is to be noted that the term on-line signifiesa state in which the on-line apparatus is connected to the network 30.

The Web application 221 can be accessed from a Web browser 1121 providedby a client apparatus 100. The Web browser 1121 is an application forimplementing some of the functions of the control section 120 of theclient apparatus 100. A transfer device 400 has a function of acquiringa list of content data cached in the reproduction apparatus 300 whichcorresponds to an off-line apparatus, a function of caching content datainto the reproduction apparatus 300 which corresponds to an off-lineapparatus. While the transfer device 400 here is incorporated in theclient apparatus 100, it may otherwise be incorporated in the serverapparatus 200 or in the reproduction apparatus 300. In the case wherethe transfer device 400 is incorporated in the client apparatus 100, theWeb browser 1121 may have some or all of the functions which thetransfer device 400 has. It is to be noted that the term off-linesignifies that the off-line apparatus is not connected to the network30.

The Web application 221 issues an inquiry about a connection situationbetween the reproduction apparatus 300 which corresponds to an off-lineapparatus and the client apparatus 100 which corresponds to an on-lineapparatus to the transfer device 400. If connection between thereproduction apparatus 300 and the client apparatus 100 is confirmed,then the transfer device 400 transmits a list of acquired content datato the Web application 221. The Web application 221 receives the listinformation of content data and dynamically changes a UI (UserInterface) to be provided to the Web browser 1121. Consequently, the Webbrowser 1121 can provide a UI which varies dynamically.

1-11. Example of Various Kinds of Information Retained by the ServerApparatus

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of various kinds of information retainedin the server apparatus 200 in the embodiment of the disclosedtechnology. The example of various kinds of information retained in theserver apparatus 200 is described below with reference to FIG. 11.

The server apparatus 200 has stored therein content data C and contentidentification information I for identifying the content data C as shownin FIG. 11. Further, the server apparatus 200 can store individual userregistration information T. In FIG. 11, individual user registrationinformation TA regarding the user A and individual user registrationinformation TB regarding the user B are registered as the individualuser registration information T in the server apparatus 200. Althoughthe individual user registration information TA or the individual userregistration information TB can be registered into the server apparatus200 by such a method as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1to 9, the method of registration of the individual user registrationinformation TA or the individual user registration information TB is notlimited particularly.

Further, the server apparatus 200 can store channel informationconfigured from a combination of channel identification information foridentifying a channel and content identification information of one or aplurality of contents. As seen in FIG. 11, a combination of channelidentification information H1 and content identification information I22and I23 and another combination of channel identification information H2and content identification information I24 are registered as channelinformation H in the server apparatus 200. If the server apparatus 200is notified of channel identification information by a contenttransmission request, then it can successively send back content dataidentified based on the content identification information combined withthe channel identification information to the transmission source of thecontent transmission request.

1-12. Example of Display of Information Relating to Content Data

FIG. 12 shows an example of display in the case where informationrelating to content data retained in the server apparatus 200 in theembodiment of the disclosed document is displayed. An example of displayin the case where information relating to content data retained in theserver apparatus 200 is displayed is described with reference to FIG.12. It is to be noted that a client apparatus 100 in the followingdescription is a representative of the first client apparatus 100A1,second client apparatus 100A2, different client apparatus 100B and soforth. In the following, a flow of processing is described principallyin regard to the functioning blocks provided in the first clientapparatus 100A1. However, it is a matter of course that processing canbe carried out principally by functioning blocks provided in the secondclient apparatus 100A2, different client apparatus 100B, reproductionapparatus 300 or the like.

The transmission section 113 transmits an information transmissionrequest which is a request for acquiring content relating information,which is information relating to content data retained in the serverapparatus 200, to the server apparatus 200. In this instance, the clientapparatus 100 further includes the reception section 114 for receivingcontent relating information as a response to the informationtransmission request from the server apparatus 200. The control section112 can control a predetermined display section to display the contentrelating information received from the server apparatus 200 by thereception section 114. The control section 112 controls the transmissionsection 113 to transmit an information transmission request to theserver apparatus 200, for example, based on a predetermined operationinputted from the user through the inputting section 115. Thepredetermined operation corresponds to an operation by which, forexample, a Channel button 412 is selected. The display section is anexample of the outputting section 116.

As seen in FIG. 12, the control section 112 can control the displaysection to display the content relating information received from theserver apparatus 200 by the reception section 114, for example, asimages 431, 432 and 433. The image 431 is an image as an example ofinformation relating to content data selected currently, and the image432 is an image of an example as information relating to content dataselected in the last operation cycle. Further, one or a plurality ofimages 433 are images relating to current data from within informationrelating to content data which can be selected from now on such that animage 433 of the information relating to the content data conformingbetter to the liking of the user is arranged nearer to the image 431.

If one of the images 431, 432 and 433 is selected by the user, then thecontrol section 112 recognizes that content data corresponding to theselected image is selected at present. The content data selected atpresent can be downloaded from the server apparatus 200 and reproducedby a predetermined operation such as to depress a reproduction button.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, from among a HOME button 411, a Channelbutton 412, a Browse button 413 and a My Library button 414, the Channelbutton 412 is selected. Accordingly, one or a plurality of images 433shown in FIG. 12 are arranged such that information relating to contentdata conforming better to the liking of the user is arranged nearer tothe image 431 within a channel selected by the user. The channel may beselected by the user referring to channel relating information 451acquired from the server apparatus 200. Or, the channel relatinginformation 451 may be changeable suitably depending upon a category441.

Information relating to content data conforming better to the liking ofthe user may be transmitted to the client apparatus 100, for example,from the server apparatus 200. In other words, the server apparatus 200may store liking information associated with user identificationinformation by the storage section 111. In this instance, the serverapparatus 200 can refer to the liking information to determine contentdata conforming better to the liking of the user in the channel selectedby the user.

FIG. 12 further shows an Add to button 423, a Like button 421, a Dislikebutton 422 and so forth. For example, if the Add to button 423 isselected by the user, then content identification information foridentifying content data selected at present can be added to theindividual user registration information. If new content identificationinformation is added to the individual user registration information,then content data identified based on the new content identificationinformation can be downloaded to and reproduced by the client apparatus100.

Further, for example, if the Like button 421 is selected by the user,then information relating to content data selected at present can bereflected on liking information retained in the server apparatus 200.Similarly, for example, if the Dislike button 422 is selected by theuser, then information relating to content data selected at present canbe reflected on the liking information retained in the server apparatus200. The information relating to the content data selected at presentmay be, for example, a genre of the content data selected at present. Ifthe liking information retained in the server apparatus 200 can beupdated in this manner, then content data conforming better to theliking of the user can be proposed to the user.

1-13. Example of a Screen Image Displayed Before Start of Content DataTransfer

FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen image display before transfer ofcontent data from the server apparatus 200 in the embodiment of thedisclosed technology to the reproduction apparatus 300 through theclient apparatus 100 is started. The example of screen image displaybefore transfer of content data from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300 through the client apparatus 100 is startedis described with reference to FIG. 13.

It is to be noted that the screen image 470A shown in FIG. 13 isdisplayed in accordance with an instruction of the transfer device 400,for example, when connection between the reproduction apparatus 300 andthe client apparatus 100 is confirmed by the transfer device 400. Theapparatus which displays the screen image 470A may be the clientapparatus 100 or the reproduction apparatus 300. For example, in thecase where the client apparatus 100 displays the screen image 470A, whenthe transfer device 400 confirms connection between the reproductionapparatus 300 and the client apparatus 100, the Web browser 1121 may bestarted so that the screen image 470A is displayed by a function of theWeb browser 1121.

Before transfer of content data from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300 through the client apparatus 100 is started,for example, such a screen image 470A as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.While the screen image 470A is read, the user can select content data tobe transferred from the server apparatus 200 to the reproductionapparatus 300 through the client apparatus 100. For example, by placinga check mark into a channel selection field 472 and depressing a SyncNow button 475, the user can cause content data, which configure achannel corresponding to the channel selection field 472 in which thecheck mark is placed, to be transferred from the server apparatus 200 tothe reproduction apparatus 300 through the client apparatus 100.

More particularly, for example, if the user places a check mark into thechannel selection field 472 and then depresses the Sync Now button 475,then a content transmission request including channel identificationinformation for identifying the channel corresponding to the channelselection field 472 in which the check mark is placed is transmitted tothe server apparatus 200. The server apparatus 200 receives the contenttransmission request and successively transmits content data of achannel identified based on the channel identification informationincluded in the content transmission request to the reproductionapparatus 300. In the case where a plurality of channels are sorted forindividual types, the user can select a type by placing a check mark ina channel kind selection field 471.

Further, for example, if the user places a check mark in a playlistselection field 474 and depressing the Sync Now button 475, then it ispossible to transfer a playlist itself corresponding to the playlistselection field 474 in which the check mark is placed and content dataindividually corresponding to content identification information of oneor a plurality of contents which configure the playlist from the serverapparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300 through the clientapparatus 100.

More particularly, for example, if the user places a check mark into theplaylist selection field 474 and then depresses the Sync Now button 475,then a content transmission request including playlist identificationinformation for identifying a playlist corresponding to the playlistselection field 474 in which the check mark is placed is transmitted tothe server apparatus 200. The server apparatus 200 receives the playlisttransmission request and successively transfers a playlist itselfidentified based on the playlist identification information included inthe content transmission request and content data individuallycorresponding to content identification information of one or aplurality of contents which configures the playlist to the reproductionapparatus 300.

The server apparatus 200 can successively transmit the playlist itselfand the content data corresponding to the content identificationinformation of one or a plurality of contents which configures theplaylist to the reproduction apparatus 300 only in the case where, forexample, the playlist identified based on the playlist identificationinformation included in the content transmission request is registeredin an associated relationship with the user identification informationincluded in the content transmission request in the individual userregistration information.

Further, for example, if the user places a check mark into an Sync Allfield 473 and depresses the Sync Now button 475, then it can cause thecontent data which configured the channel, the playlist itself, and thecontent data corresponding to the content identification information ofone or a plurality of contents which configures the playlist to betransferred from the server apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus300 through the client apparatus 100. Thereupon, for example, the serverapparatus 200 can control such that a playlist itself which is notregistered in the individual user registration information and contentdata corresponding to the content identification information of one or aplurality of contents which configures the playlist are not transmittedto the reproduction apparatus 300.

Further, for example, if the user places a check mark into a contentdata selection field not shown and then depresses the Sync Now button475, then content data corresponding to the content data selection fieldin which the check mark is placed can be transferred from the serverapparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300 through the clientapparatus 100.

More particularly, for example, if the user places a check mark into thecontent data selection field not shown and then depresses the Sync Nowbutton 475, then a content transmission request including content dataidentification information for identifying content data corresponding tothe content data selection field in which the check mark is placed istransmitted to the server apparatus 200. The server apparatus 200receives the content transmission request and transmits content dataidentified based on the content data identification information includedin the content transmission request to the reproduction apparatus 300.

The server apparatus 200 can transmit content data identified, forexample, based on the content data identification information includedin the content transmission request, to the reproduction apparatus 300only in the case where the content data is registered in an associatedrelationship with the user identification information included in thecontent transmission request as transmittable content information in theindividual user registration information.

Although it has been described that various kinds of information istransferred from the server apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus300 through the client apparatus 100 in response to depression of theSync Now button 475 by the user, the necessity for transmission from theserver apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300 is low in regardto content data retained already in the reproduction apparatus 300.Further, even if content data is retailed already in the reproductionapparatus 300, if the content data is not registered in the serverapparatus 200, then the necessity to keep the content data continuouslyretained in the reproduction apparatus 300 may be low.

In such an instance, such control that only content data selected by theuser is transferred to the reproduction apparatus 300 while content datanot selected by the user is deleted from the reproduction apparatus 300may be carried out. In the following description, such control as justdescribed may be referred to particularly as “synchronization (orSync).” Accordingly, the term “synchronization” in the description ofthe present embodiment is regarded as a form of “transfer.”

1-14. Example of a Display Screen Displayed During Content Data Transfer

FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen image displayed while content datais being transferred from the server apparatus 200 in the embodiment ofthe disclosed technology to the reproduction apparatus 300 through aclient apparatus 100. In the following, the example of a screen imagedisplayed while content data is being transferred from the serverapparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300 through a clientapparatus 100 is described with reference to FIG. 14. It is to be notedthat the apparatus on which the screen image 470B is displayed may be,for example, a client apparatus 100 or the reproduction apparatus 300similarly to the screen image 470A.

While content data is being transferred from the server apparatus 200 tothe reproduction apparatus 300 through a client apparatus 100, forexample, such a screen image 470B as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.While the user refers to the screen image 470B, the user can confirm astate of progress regarding transfer of content data from a progress bar476. If a Sync Stop button 477 is depressed, then the transfer ofcontent data to the reproduction apparatus 300 can be interrupted. Moreparticularly, if the user depresses, for example, the Sync Stop button477, then an interrupt request representing that the transfer of contentdata to the reproduction apparatus 300 should be interrupted istransmitted to the server apparatus 200. The server apparatus 200receives the interrupt request and can interrupt the transmission ofcontent data to the reproduction apparatus 300.

1-15. Example of a Display Screen Displayed Upon Interruption of ContentData Transfer

FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen image displayed while transfer ofcontent data from the server apparatus 200 in the embodiment of thedisclosed technology to the reproduction apparatus 300 through a clientapparatus 100 is interrupted. The example of a screen image displayedwhile transfer of content data from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300 through a client apparatus 100 is interruptedis described with reference to FIG. 15. It is to be noted that theapparatus which displays the screen image 470C may be, for example, aclient apparatus 100 or the reproduction apparatus 300 similarly to thescreen image 470A.

While transfer of content data from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300 through a client apparatus 100 isinterrupted, for example, such a screen image 470C as shown in FIG. 15is displayed. While the user watches the screen image 470C, the user canconfirm a state of progress regarding the transfer of content data fromthe progress bar 476. If a Sync Restart button 478 is depressed, thenthe transfer of content data to the reproduction apparatus 300 can bere-started or resumed. More particularly, if the user depresses, forexample, the Sync Restart button 478, then a content transmissionrequest to the reproduction apparatus 300 is transmitted to the serverapparatus 200. The server apparatus 200 receives the contenttransmission request and can resume transmission of content data to thereproduction apparatus 300.

1-16. Functional Configuration of the Reproduction Apparatus

FIG. 16 shows a functional configuration of the reproduction apparatus300 in the embodiment of the disclosed technology. In the following, thefunctional configuration of the reproduction apparatus 300 is describedwith reference to FIG. 16.

The reproduction apparatus 300 includes, as occasion demands, a storagesection 311, a control section 312, a transmission section 313, areception section 314, an inputting section 315, an outputting section316, a reproduction section 317 and so forth.

The storage section 311 can store content data, playlists and so forth.Content data stored in the storage section 311 can be acquired by thecontrol section 312. Further, content data can be registered into thestorage section 311 by the control section 312. The registration ofcontent data into the storage section 311 is controlled by the controlsection 312, for example, based on an operation inputted from the userthrough the inputting section 315. The content data to be registeredinto the storage section 311 may be received by the reception section314 or may be inputted through the inputting section 315. The storagesection 311 is configured from a storage device such as, for example, aHDD.

The control section 312 has a function of acquiring contentidentification information for identifying content data stored in thestorage section 311. Various methods are available for acquiring contentidentification data for identifying content identification informationstored in the storage section 311, and the acquisition method is notlimited particularly. For example, in the case where contentidentification information is added to content data stored in thestorage section 311, the content identification information added to thecontent data can be acquired.

The control section 312 further has a function of controlling operationof the functioning blocks in the reproduction apparatus 300. The controlsection 312 is configured, for example, from a CPU, a RAM and so forth,and the CPU develops a program stored in the storage section 111 intothe RAM and executes the program to implement the functions of thecontrol section 312. However, the configuration of the control section312 is not limited to this, but the control section 312 may beconfigured from hardware for exclusive use.

The transmission section 313 has a function of transmitting variouskinds of information to a client apparatus 100. The transmission section313 further has a function of transmitting a request produced by thecontrol section 312 based on an operation inputted through the inputtingsection 315 to the client apparatus 100. The request is transferred, forexample, from the client apparatus 100 to the server apparatus 200. Thetransmission section 313 is configured, for example, from acommunication device.

The reception section 314 has a function of receiving various kinds ofinformation from the client apparatus 100. The reception section 314 hasa function of receiving, if a request produced by the control section312, for example, based on an operation inputted through the inputtingsection 315 is transmitted by the transmission section 313, a responseto the request from the server apparatus 200. Further, the receptionsection 314 can receive content data for being stored into the storagesection 311 as described hereinabove. The reception section 314 isconfigured, for example, from a communication device.

The inputting section 315 has a function of accepting an operation fromthe user and outputting the accepted operation as an operation signal tothe control section 312. The inputting section 315 is configured, forexample, from an inputting device. A request is produced by the controlsection 312 based on an operation inputted through the inputting section315, and the request produced by the control section 312 is transmittedto the client apparatus 100 from the transmission section 313.

The outputting section 316 has a function of outputting various kinds ofinformation or various requests under the control of the control section312. Further, the outputting section 316 has a function of outputtingcontent data produced by the reproduction section 317. For example, inthe case where the content data is sound data, the outputting section316 may be configured from a sound outputting device such that sound isoutputted based on the sound data from the sound outputting device. Onthe other hand, for example, if the content data is image data, then theoutputting section 316 may be configured from a display device such thatan output image is outputted based on the image data by the displaydevice.

The reproduction section 317 can reproduce content data received fromthe client apparatus 100 under the control of the control section 312 asdescribed hereinabove. For example, while the reproduction section 317can stream reproduce the content data received from the client apparatus100, the content data received from the client apparatus 100 may notnecessarily be stream reproduced. The reproduction section 317 canreproduce content data received from the client apparatus 100 by thereception section 314 by offline reproduction.

1-17. Functional Configuration of the Transfer Device

FIG. 17 shows a functional configuration of the transfer device 400according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology. In thefollowing, the functional configuration of the transfer device 400 isdescribed.

The transfer device 400 includes at least a reception section 410, acontrol section 420, a transmission section 430, and a storage section460 as shown in FIG. 17. It is to be noted that the transfer device 400may be incorporated in the server apparatus 200 or may be incorporatedin the reproduction apparatus 300 as described hereinabove.

The storage section 460 has a function of storing a transmission objectlist including content identification information of a plurality ofcontents individually corresponding to a plurality of content data to betransmitted from the server apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus300 connected to a client apparatus 100 through the client apparatus100. The transmission object list stored in the storage section 460 canbe acquired by the control section 420. The transmission object list canalso be registered into the storage section 460 by the control section420.

The registration of the transmission object list into the storagesection 460 is controlled, for example, by the control section 420. Thetransmission object list to be registered into the storage section 460may be those received, for example, by the reception section 410. Thetransmission object list correspond to “SyncList” hereinafter described.The storage section 460 is configured from a storage device such as, forexample, a HDD.

The reception section 410 has a function of successively receiving aplurality of content data from the server apparatus 200. In the casewhere the transfer device 400 is incorporated in the server apparatus200, the reception section 410 successively receives a plurality ofcontent data in the server apparatus 200. On the other hand, if thetransfer device 400 is incorporated in the reproduction apparatus 300,then the reception section 410 successively receives a plurality ofcontent data from the server apparatus 200 through the client apparatus100. The reception section 410 is configured, for example, from acommunication device.

The transmission section 430 has a function of successively transferringa plurality of content data successively received from the receptionsection 410 to the reproduction apparatus 300. If the transfer device400 is incorporated in the server apparatus 200, then the transmissionsection 430 successively transmits a plurality of content data to thereproduction apparatus 300 through the client apparatus 100. On theother hand, if the transfer device 400 is incorporated in thereproduction apparatus 300, then the transmission section 430successively transmits a plurality of content data to the reproductionapparatus 300 in the reproduction apparatus 300. The transmissionsection 430 is configured, for example, from a communication device.

The control section 420 has a function of deleting, every time contentdata is transferred to the reproduction apparatus 300 by thetransmission section 430, content identification informationcorresponding to the content data transferred by the transmissionsection 430 from the transmission object list stored in the storagesection 460. The control section 420 further has a function ofcontrolling operation of the functioning blocks in the transfer device400.

The control section 420 is configured, for example, from a CPU, a RAMand so forth, and the CPU develops a program stored in the storagesection 460 into the RAM and executes the program so that the functionsof the control section 420 are implemented. However, the configurationof the control section 420 is not limited to this, but the controlsection 420 may be configured otherwise from hardware for exclusive use.

Since the transfer device 400 has such functions as described above,when a plurality of content data are successively transferred from theserver apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300 through a clientapparatus 100, even if the transmission is interrupted, the transferdevice 400 can resume transmission of the content data from the point atwhich the transmission is interrupted.

1-18. Example of a Transmission Object List

FIG. 18 shows an example of a transmission object list used by thetransfer device 400 in the embodiment of the disclosed technology. Inthe following, the example of a transmission object list used by thetransfer device 400 is described with reference to FIG. 18. Thetransmission object list can be edited by a function of the Webapplication 221. The transmission object list corresponds, for example,to content data scheduled for synchronization, which is a form oftransfer, with the reproduction apparatus 300 from the server apparatus200, a playlist itself or a list regarding content data.

As described hereinabove, the transmission object list corresponds to“SyncList” illustrated in FIG. 18. As seen from FIG. 18, the “SyncList”includes, for example, “TrackGUIDs,” “PlayListGUIDs,” “ChannelGUIDs,”“ALLSync” and so forth. The “TrackGUIDs” corresponds to contentidentification information, “PlaylistGUIDs” corresponds to playlistidentification information, and the “CHannelGUIDs” corresponds tochannel identification information.

The “ALLSync” represents synchronization setting, which is a form oftransfer setting, for all content data identified, for example, based oninformation set in MyLibrary (individual user registration information).When the “ALLSync” is “true,” it represents that synchronization for allcontent data is to be executed, but if it is “false,” it represents thatsynchronization for all content data is not to be executed. All contentdata may include not only content data identified based on “TrackGUIDs”but also a playlist itself identified based on the “PlayListGUIDs,”content data identified based on content identification informationwhich configures the playlist, content data which configure a channelidentified based on the “ChannelGUIDs” and so forth.

1-19. Example of a Target List

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a target list used by the transferdevice 400 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology. Inthe following, the example of a target list used by the transfer device400 is described with reference to FIG. 19.

“TargetList” illustrated in FIG. 19 is produced by the transfer device400 developing the “SyncList” upon starting of synchronization, which isa form of starting of transfer. More particularly, the transfer device400 copies the substance set in the “SyncList” into the “TargetList” andadds content identification information, which configures a playlistidentified based on playlist identification information set in the“PlayListGUIDs,” in the example of FIG. 19, based on P1, P10, P100, P500and so forth, to the “TrackGUIDs” of the “TargetList.”

If the “TargetList” produced by the transfer device 400 developing the“SyncList” in this manner is used, then synchronism not only of theplaylist itself but also of content data identified based on the contentidentification information which configures the playlist can beestablished between the server apparatus 200 and the reproductionapparatus 300. In other words, not only the playlist but also thecontent data can be transmitted from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300.

1-20. Example of a Transmission Completion List

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a transmission completion list used bythe transfer device 400 in the embodiment of the disclosed technology.In the following, the example of a transmission completion list used bythe transfer device 400 is described with reference to FIG. 20.

“CurrentList” illustrated in FIG. 20 has set therein various kinds ofinformation such as content data, a playlist itself and so forthcurrently retained by the reproduction apparatus 300. The transferdevice 400 can calculate the difference between the “TargetList” and the“CurrentList.” For example, the transfer device 400 can delete, based onthe calculated difference, for example, those content data which areidentified based on content identification information which is not setin the “TargetList” but is set in the “CurrentList” from thereproduction apparatus 300.

Further, the transfer device 400 can cause the server apparatus 200 orWeb application 221 to transmit content data which are not set in the“CurrentList” but are set in the “TargetList” to the reproductionapparatus 300. Further, the transfer device 400 can restrict thosecontent data which are set in both of the “CurrentList” and the“TargetList” from being transmitted from the server apparatus 200 or Webapplication 221 to the reproduction apparatus 300 again.

1-21. Process Executed Upon Connection of the Transfer Device

FIG. 21 illustrates a flow of processing executed when the reproductionapparatus 300 in the embodiment of the disclosed technology is connectedto the transfer device 400. In the following, the flow of processingexecuted when the reproduction apparatus 300 is connected to thetransfer device 400 is described with reference to FIG. 21.

If the client apparatus 100 starts up the Web application 221 and theWeb application 221 issues an inquiry about a connection situationbetween the reproduction apparatus 300 and a client apparatus 100, thenthe transfer device 400 starts up the Web browser 1121. Consequently,the Web application 221 dynamically changes the UI to be provided to theWeb browser 1121 together with the progress of synchronization ortransfer of content data, and consequently, the Web browser 1121 canprovide the dynamically changing UI. The UI provided to the Web browser1121 is displayed, for example, as the screen image 470B shown in FIG.14, and the dynamic change of the UI is represented, for example, as avariation of the progress bar 476.

The reception section 410 of the transfer device 400 receives the“CurrentList” and the “SyncList” from the reproduction apparatus 300,and the transmission section 430 transmits the “CurrentList” and the“SyncList” received from the reproduction apparatus 300 to the Webapplication 221. The Web application 221 produces a UI based on thereceived “CurrentList” and “SyncList” and provides the UI to the Webbrowser 1121. The Web browser 1121 displays the UI so that the user cangrasp the content data scheduled to be synchronized or transferred andthe content data transmitted already.

1-22. Process Executed Upon Editing of a Transmission Object List

FIG. 22 illustrates a flow of processing executed while a transmissionobject list is edited by the server apparatus 200 in the embodiment ofthe disclosed technology. In the following, the flow of processingexecuted while a transmission object list is edited by the serverapparatus 200 is described with reference to FIG. 22. It is to be notedthat the “SyncList” is used here as the transmission object list.

The user can edit the “SyncList” on a UI provided by the Web application221 as seen in FIG. 22. More particularly, the user can add or deletethe substance of the “TrackGUIDs,” “PlayListGUIDs” and “ChannelGUIDs”set in the “SyncList” on the UI provided by the Web application 221. The“SyncList” produced by the Web application 221 can be stored into thereproduction apparatus 300. The “SyncList” can be stored, for example,periodically into the reproduction apparatus 300.

At this time, the reception section 410 of the transfer device 400 isenabled to receive the “SyncList” during editing on the server apparatus200 from the server apparatus 200. As a process executed by the transferdevice 400, when the “SyncList” during editing is received by thereception section 410, the transmission section 430 transmits the“SyncList” during editing received by the reception section 410 to thereproduction apparatus 300. For example, the transmission section 430can store the “SyncList” during editing periodically into thereproduction apparatus 300. Consequently, latest content data scheduledfor synchronization or transfer can be grasped. Even if the “SyncList”disappears from the server apparatus 200 upon updating of the Webapplication 221, the “SyncList” stored in the reproduction apparatus 300can be used.

1-23. Process Executed Upon Reception of a Starting Request (Part 1)

FIG. 23 illustrates a flow of processing (part 1) which is executed whena request to start transfer of a plurality of content data is received.In the following, the flow of processing (part 1) which is executed whena request to start transfer of a plurality of content data is receivedis described.

As shown in FIG. 23, after the transfer device 400 receives a request tostart transfer of content data, it receives the SyncList” after editingfrom the Web application 221 and can store the received “SyncList.” Thetransfer device 400 can produce “TargetList” by developing the stored“SyncList.” The request to start transfer of content data is received,for example, as a result of selection of the Sync Now button 475 of thescreen image 470A by the user.

At this time, if playlist identification information for identifying aplaylist is included in the “SyncList” received by the reception section410, then the control section 420 of the transfer device 400 can acquirecontent identification information of a plurality of contents whichconfigures a playlist identified based on the playlist identificationinformation. The content identification information of a plurality ofcontents which configures the playlist identified based on the playlistidentification information is added to “SyncList” so as to produce“TargetList.” The control section 420 can include the acquired contentidentification information of a plurality of contents into a contenttransmission request. Consequently, it is possible to cause the serverapparatus 200 to transmit not only the playlist itself but also contentdata corresponding to the content identification information of aplurality of contents which configure the playlist to the reproductionapparatus 300.

1-24. Process Executed Upon Reception of a Starting Request (Part 2)

FIG. 24 illustrates a flow of processing (part 2) executed when arequest to start transfer of a plurality of content data is received. Inthe following, the flow of processing (part 2) executed when a requestto start transfer of a plurality of content data is received isdescribed.

If a request to start transfer of content data is received, then thetransfer device 400 can receive “CurrentList” including contentidentification information of one or a plurality of contentsindividually corresponding to one or a plurality of content dataretained in the reproduction apparatus 300 from the reproductionapparatus 300 as seen in FIG. 24. The “CurrentList” corresponds to atransmission completion list. The transfer device 400 calculates thedifference between the produced “TargetList” and the received“CurrentList” and can cause the reproduction apparatus 300 to deletethose content data which are included in the “TargetList” but are notincluded in the “CurrentList” from the reproduction apparatus 300.Further, the transfer device 400 can cause the content data to betransferred from the reproduction apparatus 300.

At this time, the reception section 410 of the transfer device 400 canreceive a starting request indicating that transfer of a plurality ofcontent data to the reproduction apparatus 300 should be started. If thestarting request is received by the reception section 410, then thecontrol section 420 can acquire the “CurrentList” including contentidentification information of one or a plurality of contentsindividually corresponding to the one or plural content data retained inthe reproduction apparatus 300.

The control section 420 detects, for example, the content identificationinformation which is included in the “CurrentList” but is not includedin the “TargetList” and causes content data identified based on thedetected content identification information to be deleted from thereproduction apparatus 300. Further, also it is possible for the controlsection 420 to cause content data to be transferred from thereproduction apparatus 300. After content data is deleted from thereproduction apparatus 300 by the control section 420, the transmissionsection 430 can transmit a content transmission request to the serverapparatus 200.

1-25. Process Executed Upon Execution of Transfer

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow of processing executed while transfer of aplurality of content data is executed. In the following, the flow ofprocessing executed while transfer of a plurality of content data isexecuted is described with reference to FIG. 25.

A plurality of content data are successively transmitted from the serverapparatus 200 in accordance with a content transmission requesttransmitted from the transfer device 400 to the server apparatus 200. Inparticular, the control section 420 of the transfer device 400 acquirescontent identification information of a plurality of contents from the“SyncList” stored in the storage section 460 and produces a contenttransmission request including the content identification information ofthe plural contents.

The transmission section 430 transmits the content transmission requestproduced by the control section 420 to the server apparatus 200, and thereception section 410 successively receives a plurality of content dataas a response to the content transmission request from the serverapparatus 200. The transmission section 430 successively transfers theplural content data received successively by the reception section 410to the reproduction apparatus 300.

While the plural content data are successively transmitted from theserver apparatus 200 to the reproduction apparatus 300, every timecontent data is transmitted to the reproduction apparatus 300 by thetransmission section 430, the control section 420 can delete contentidentification information corresponding to the content data transferredby the transmission section 430 from the “SyncList” stored in thestorage section 460. Further, the control section 420 can add, everytime content data is transferred to the reproduction apparatus 300 bythe transmission section 430, content identification informationcorresponding to the content data transferred by the transmissionsection 430 to the “CurrentList.”

Also it is possible for the transmission section 430 to transmit the“SyncList” or the “CurrentList” to the reproduction apparatus 300 sothat the “SyncList” or the “CurrentList” is stored into the reproductionapparatus 300. This is intended to allow the reproduction apparatus 300to grasp the latest state of the “SyncList” or the “CurrentList.”Consequently, after transfer of content data is interrupted, transfer ofthe content data can be resumed from the latest state using the“SyncList” or the “CurrentList” stored in the reproduction apparatus300.

1-26. Process Executed Upon Completion of Transfer

FIG. 26 illustrates a flow of processing executed when transfer of aplurality of content data is completed. In the following, the flow ofprocessing executed when transfer of a plurality of content data iscompleted is described with reference to FIG. 26.

When transfer of content data identified based on content identificationinformation set in the “SyncList” is completed, the transfer device 400can transmit the “SyncList” or the “CurrentList” upon completion ofcontent data transfer to the reproduction apparatus 300. Thereproduction apparatus 300 can store the “SyncList” or the “CurrentList”transmitted thereto from the transfer device 400.

1-27. Process Executed Upon Re-Starting of Transfer (Part 1)

FIG. 27 illustrates a flow of processing (part 1) executed when arequest to resume transfer of a plurality of content data is received.In the following, the flow of processing (part 1) executed when arequest to resume transfer of a plurality of content data is received isdescribed with reference to FIG. 27.

The transfer device 400 can resume transfer of a plurality of contentdata if it uses, for example, the “SyncList.” At this time, thereception section 410 of the transfer device 400 can receive aresumption request indicating that transfer of a plurality of contentdata to the reproduction apparatus 300 should be resumed after transferof a plurality of content data to the reproduction apparatus 300 isinterrupted. The resumption request indicating that transfer of contentdata is to be resumed is received, for example, as a result of selectionof the Sync Restart button 478 of the screen image 470C by the user.

If a resumption request is received by the reception section 410, thenthe control section 420 acquires content identification information ofone or a plurality of contents included in the “SyncList” after contentidentification information is deleted and produces a contenttransmission request including the acquired content identificationinformation of one or a plurality of contents. The transmission section430 transmits the content transmission request produced by the controlsection 420 to the server apparatus 200. The reception section 410successively receives one or a plurality of content data individuallycorresponding to the content identification information of the one orplural contents included in the “SyncList” after deletion of the contentidentification information by the control section 420 as a response tothe content transmission request. The transmission section 430successively transfers the one or plural content data successivelyreceived by the reception section 410 to the reproduction apparatus 300.

The transfer device 400 may use the “SyncList” stored in any apparatusin order to resume the content data transfer. For example, the transferdevice 400 can use the “SyncList” retained by the transfer device 400itself. At this time, the control section 420 may acquire, when aresumption request is received by the reception section 410, contentidentification information of one or a plurality of contents included inthe “SyncList” after deletion of the content identification informationfrom the storage section 460, and then produce a content transmissionrequest including the acquired content identification information of oneor a plurality of contents. Thereafter, the transmission section 430 maytransmit the content transmission request produced by the controlsection 420 to the server apparatus 200.

For example, the transfer device 400 uses the “ScanList” stored in thereproduction apparatus 300. At this time, the control section 420 storesthe “SyncList” after deletion of the content identification informationinto the reproduction apparatus 300. If a resumption request is receivedby the reception section 410, then the control section 420 may acquirecontent identification information of one or a plurality of contentsincluded in the “SyncList” after the deletion of the contentidentification information and produce a content transmission requestincluding the acquired content identification information of one or aplurality of contents. Thereafter, the transmission section 430 maytransmit the content transmission request produced by the controlsection 420 to the server apparatus 200.

Also it is possible for the transfer device 400, for example, to use the“SyncList” stored in the server apparatus 200. At this time, the controlsection 420 stores the “SyncList” after the deletion of the contentidentification information into the server apparatus 200. If aresumption request is received by the reception section 410, then thecontrol section 420 may acquire content identification information ofone or a plurality of contents included in the “SyncList” after thedeletion of the content identification information and produce a contenttransmission request including the acquired content identificationinformation of one or a plurality of contents. Thereafter, thetransmission section 430 may transmit the content transmission requestproduced by the control section 420 to the server apparatus 200.

Similarly as upon starting of transfer of a plurality of content data(refer to FIG. 23), the transfer device 400 can produce “TargetList” bydeveloping the received “SyncList.” By using the “TargetList,” thetransfer device 400 can cause not only a playlist itself but alsocontent data individually corresponding to the content identificationinformation of a plurality of contents which configure the playlist tobe transmitted from the server apparatus 200 to the reproductionapparatus 300.

1-28. Process Executed Upon Re-Starting of Transfer (Part 2)

FIG. 28 illustrates a flow of processing (part 2) executed when arequest to resume transfer of a plurality of content data is received.In the following, the flow of processing (part 2) executed when arequest to resume transfer of a plurality of content data is received isdescribed with reference to FIG. 28.

As seen in FIG. 28, the transfer device 400 can receive the “TargetList”stored in a different apparatus and use the received “TargetList.” Thismakes it possible for the transfer device 400 to transmit not only aplaylist itself but also content data individually corresponding tocontent identification information of a plurality of contents whichconfigures the playlist from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300.

1-29. Example of the Hardware Configuration of the Server Apparatus

FIG. 29 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the serverapparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology.In the following, the example of a hardware configuration of the serverapparatus 200 is described with reference to FIG. 29.

As shown in FIG. 29, the server apparatus 200 includes, for example, aCPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM(Random Access Memory) 903, a host bus 904, and a bridge 905. The serverapparatus 200 further includes an external bus 906, an interface 907, aninputting device 908, an outputting device 910, a storage device 911 inthe form of a HDD, a drive 912, a connection port 914, and acommunication device 915.

The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic operation processing device and acontrol device, and operates in accordance with various programs storedin the ROM 902 or the HDD 911 to control the components of the serverapparatus 200. As particular processes, for example, coding and decodingprocesses of content data, inputting and outputting processing controlof content data and so forth are executed.

The ROM 902 stores programs to be used by the CPU 901, arithmeticoperation parameters and so forth. Further, the ROM 902 may have afunction of storing content data and so forth. The RAM 903 temporarilystores programs to be used in execution by the CPU 901, parameters whichsuitably change in the execution and so forth. The CPU 901, ROM 902 andRAM 903 are connected to each other by the host bus 904 configured froma CPU bus or the like.

The host bus 904 is connected to the external bus 906 such as a PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus through the bridge905.

The inputting device 908 is configured from an operation section of amouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, switches, levers or the like,an input controlling circuit for producing an input signal andoutputting the input signal to the CPU 901, and so forth. A user of theserver apparatus 200 can input various data or issue an instruction fora processing operation to the server apparatus 200 by operating theinputting device 908.

The outputting device 910 is configured from a display device such as,for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) device or lamps, and a sound outputting device such as aspeaker. The outputting device 910 outputs, for example, reproducedcontent data. In particular, the display device displays a reproducedvideo content as a dynamic picture or a still picture in the form of atext or an image. Meanwhile, the sound outputting device generates soundof a reproduced audio content.

The HDD 911 is a device for data storage configured as an example of astorage section of the server apparatus 200 in the embodiment of thedisclosed technology. The HDD 911 stores programs to be executed by theCPU 901 and various data on a hard disk. Further, various data such as,for example, content data are stored into the HDD 911.

The drive 912 is a reader/writer for a storage medium and is built in orexternally connected to the server apparatus 200. The drive 912records/reproduces various data such as content data on/from a removablerecording medium 40 such as a magnetic disk such as a HD, an opticaldisk such as a CD or a DVD, a magneto-optical disk such as an MO or asemiconductor memory loaded in the server apparatus 200.

In particular, the drive 912 reads out data recorded on the removablerecording medium 40 and stores the data into the RAM 903 connectedthereto through the interface 907, external bus 906, bridge 905 and hostbus 904. The CPU 901 stores the data into the ROM 902, HDD 911 or thelike as occasion demands. Meanwhile, the drive 912 receives data storedin the ROM 902, HDD 911 or the like, newly produced data or dataacquired from an external apparatus from the CPU 901 and writes thereceived data into the removable recording medium 40.

The connection port 914 is a port for connecting, for example, theserver apparatus 200 and an external peripheral instrument to each otherand has a connection terminal of the USB, IEEE1394 or the like. Theconnection port 914 is connected to the CPU 901 and so forth through theinterface 907 and the external bus 906, bridge 905, host bus 904 and soforth.

The communication device 915 is a communication interface configured,for example, from a communication device for connecting to the network30 or the like. The communication device 915 transfers various data suchas content data and control signals to and from an external apparatussuch as a client apparatus 100 through the network 30.

1-30. Example of the Hardware Configuration of the Client Apparatus

FIG. 30 shows an example of a hardware configuration of each clientapparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology.In the following, the example of a hardware configuration of a clientapparatus 100 is described with reference to FIG. 30.

As shown in FIG. 30, the client apparatus 100 includes, for example, acontrol device 801, a flash memory 802, a RAM 803, a bus 806, aninputting device 808, a display device 810, a HDD 811, a drive 812, adecoder 813, a connection port 814, a communication device 815, an audiooutputting circuit 816, a remote controller 8I18, and a headphone 819.

The control device 801 operates in accordance with various programsstored, for example, in the flash memory 802 or the HDD 811 and controlsthe components of the client apparatus 100. The flash memory 802 stores,for example, programs which define operation of the control device 801and various data. The flash memory 802 can have a function for storingcontent data and so forth. The RAM 803 is configured, for example, froman SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) and temporarily stores various data relatingto processing of the control device 801.

The bus 806 is a data line for connecting to the control device 801,flash memory 802, RAM 803, inputting device 808, display device 810, HDD811, drive 812, decoder 813, communication device 815, audio outputtingcircuit 816 and so forth.

The inputting device 808 and the remote controller 8I18 are configuredfrom an operation section such as, for example, a touch panel, buttonkeys, levers, dials and so forth, and an inputting controlling circuitfor producing an input signal in response to an operation for theoperation section by the user and outputting the input signal to thecontrol device 801. The user of the client apparatus 100 can inputvarious data or issue an instruction for a processing operation to theclient apparatus 100 by operating the inputting device 808 or the remotecontroller 8I18 hereinafter described.

The display device 810 is configured, for example, from an LCD panel, anLCD controlling circuit and so forth. The display device 810 displaysvarious kinds of information in the form of a text or an image under thecontrol of the control device 801.

The HDD 811 is a device for data storage configured as an example of astorage section of the client apparatus 100 according to the embodimentof the disclosed technology. The HDD 811 is configured from a hard diskdrive (HDD) having a storage capacity of, for example, several tens GBand stores content data and programs and various data of the controldevice 801. The client apparatus 100 including such a HDD 811 as justdescribed is configured as a content recording and reproductionapparatus which can record and reproduce content data. Consequently, itis possible to store not only content data provided through theremovable recording medium 40 but also content data received from theserver apparatus 200 or the like on the HDD 811 and reproduce the storedcontent data. However, the client apparatus 100 is not limited to thisexample, but may be configured as an apparatus only for reproduction ofcontent data without including the HDD 811. In this instance, the clientapparatus 100 can read out, for example, content data stored in theremovable recording medium 40 and can execute only reproduction of thecontent data but cannot carry out recording. Further, the clientapparatus 100 may carry out streaming reproduction in which itsuccessively reproduces content data received from the server apparatus200 or the like without storing the content data into the HDD 811.

The drive 812 is a reader/writer for a storage medium and is built inthe client apparatus 100. The drive 812 records/reproduces various datasuch as content data on/from a removable recording medium 40 loaded inthe client apparatus 100. The decoder 813 carries out a decodingprocess, a surround process, a conversion process into PCM (pulse codemodulation) data and so forth for coded content data.

The connection port 814 is a port for connecting an external peripheralapparatus such as the reproduction apparatus 300 and has a connectionterminal of the USB, IEEE1394 or the like. The connection port 814 isconnected to the control device 801 and so forth through the bus 806.The connection port 814 makes it possible for the client apparatus 100to communicate various data with the reproduction apparatus 300.

The communication device 815 transfers various data such as contentdata, for example, to and from the server apparatus 200 connectedthereto through the network 30. The communication device 815 may furtherhave, for example, a function of transmitting a request to the serverapparatus 200 through the network 30 and receiving a response to therequest from the server apparatus 200 through the network 30.

The audio outputting circuit 816 amplifies analog sound data decoded bythe decoder 813 and DA (digital to analog) converted by the controldevice 801 and outputs the amplified analog sound data to the remotecontroller 8I18. The analog sound data is outputted from the remotecontroller 8I18 to the headphone 819 such that sound is outputted from aspeaker not shown built in the headphone 819.

1-31. Example of the Hardware Configuration of the ReproductionApparatus

FIG. 31 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the reproductionapparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology.In the following, the example of a hardware configuration of thereproduction apparatus 300 is described with reference to FIG. 31.

The reproduction apparatus 300 includes, for example, a control device701, a flash memory 702, a RAM 703, a bus 706, an inputting device 708,a display device 710, a HDD 711, a drive 712, a decoder 713, acommunication device 715, an audio outputting circuit 716, a remotecontroller 718, and a headphone 719.

The control device 701 operates in accordance with various programsstored, for example, in the flash memory 702 or the HDD 711 and controlsthe components of the reproduction apparatus 300. The flash memory 702stores, for example, programs which define operation of the controldevice 701 and various data. The flash memory 702 may have a functionfor storing content data and so forth. The RAM 703 is configured, forexample, from an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) and temporarily stores variousdata relating to processing of the control device 701.

The bus 706 is a data line which connects the control device 701, theflash memory 702, RAM 703, inputting device 708, display device 710, HDD711, drive 712, decoder 713, communication device 715, audio outputtingcircuit 716 and so forth to each other.

The inputting device 708 and the remote controller 718 are eachconfigured from an operation section such as, for example, a touchpanel, button keys, levers, dials and so forth, an inputting controllingcircuit which produces an input signal in response to an operation forthe operation section by a user and outputting the input signal to thecontrol device 701, and so forth. The user of the reproduction apparatus300 can input various data or issue an instruction for a processingoperation to the reproduction apparatus 300 by operating the inputtingdevice 708 or the remote controller 718 hereinafter described.

The display device 710 is configured, for example, from an LCD panel, anLCD controlling circuit and so forth. The display device 710 displaysvarious kinds of information in the form of a text or an image under thecontrol of the control device 701.

The HDD 711 is a device for data storage configured as an example of astorage section of the reproduction apparatus 300 according to theembodiment of the disclosed technique. The HDD 711 is configured from ahard disk drive (HDD) having a storage capacity of, for example, severaltens GB and stores content data and programs and various data of thecontrol device 701. The reproduction apparatus 300 including such a HDD711 as just described is configured as a content recording andreproduction apparatus which can record and reproduce content data.Consequently, it is possible to store not only content data providedthrough the removable recording medium 40 but also content data receivedfrom the server apparatus 200 or the like on the HDD 711 and reproducethe stored content data. However, the reproduction apparatus 300 is notlimited to this example, but may be configured as an apparatus only forreproduction of content data without including the HDD 711. In thisinstance, the reproduction apparatus 300 can read out, for example,content data stored in the removable recording medium 40 and can executeonly reproduction of the content data but cannot carry out recording.Further, the reproduction apparatus 300 may carry out streamingreproduction in which it successively reproduces content data receivedfrom the server apparatus 200 or the like without storing the contentdata into the HDD 711.

The drive 712 is a reader/writer for a storage medium and is built inthe reproduction apparatus 300. The drive 712 records/reproduces variousdata such as content data on/from a removable recording medium 40 loadedin the reproduction apparatus 300. The decoder 713 carries out adecoding process, a surround process, a conversion process into PCM dataand so forth for coded content data.

The communication device 715 transfers various data such as contentdata, for example, to and from a client apparatus 100. The communicationdevice 715 may further have, for example, a function of transmitting arequest to the client apparatus 100 and receiving a response to therequest from the client apparatus 100.

The audio outputting circuit 716 amplifies analog sound data decoded bythe decoder 713 and DA converted by the control device 701 and outputsthe amplified analog sound data to the remote controller 718. The analogsound data is outputted from the remote controller 718 to the headphone719 such that sound is outputted from a speaker not shown built in theheadphone 719.

2. MODIFICATION

While a preferred embodiment of the disclosed technology has beendescribed in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings,naturally the disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiment. Itis apparent that a person skilled in the art could have made variousalterations or modifications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosed technology as defined in claims, and it is understoodthat also such alterations and modifications naturally fall within thetechnical scope of the disclosed technology.

For example, while, in the embodiment, the transfer device 400 isincorporated in the client apparatus 100, it may otherwise beincorporated in the server apparatus 200 or in the reproductionapparatus 300. For example, in the case were the transfer device 400 isincorporated in the client apparatus 100, the user can carry out editingof the “SyncList” only when it uses a client apparatus 100 owned byitself.

On the other hand, for example, in the case where the transfer device400 is incorporated in the server apparatus 200, it is possible for auser to access the transfer device 400 through a client apparatus 100 ofa different person or through a reproduction apparatus 300 of adifferent person to carry out editing of the “SyncList.” For example, inthe case where the transfer device 400 is incorporated in thereproduction apparatus 300, the user can carry out editing of the“SyncList” from the reproduction apparatus 300 only in the case wherethe reproduction apparatus 300 is connected to a client apparatus 100.

3. SUMMARY

With the present embodiment described above, when a plurality of contentdata are successively transmitted from the server apparatus 200 to thereproduction apparatus 300 through a client apparatus 100, it ispossible to resume, even if the transmission is interrupted, thetransmission of a plurality of content data from the point at which thetransmission is interrupted. Transmission of content data may possiblybe interrupted when connection between the apparatus is cut, when aninterruption operation is carried out by the user or in a like case. Forexample, if the user re-connects the reproduction apparatus 300 to theclient apparatus 100, then it can resume transmission of a plurality ofcontent data.

Further, also while the Web application 221 is not started, transmissionof a plurality of content data can be resumed. Transmission of aplurality of content data can be resumed also from the different clientapparatus 100B different from a client apparatus 100A which has beenused before the transmission of a plurality of content data isinterrupted. For example, in the middle of transmission of a pluralityof content data carried out by the user using a PC at home, it ispossible for the user to interrupt the transfer and then carry outcontinuing transfer using another PC in a coffee lounge.

Further, it is possible to maintain the “SyncList” in the retained stateeven if the Web browser 1121 is updated. Therefore, surplus labor andtime required for editing of the “SyncList” when the “SyncList”otherwise disappears upon updating of the Web browser 1121 can beomitted.

The present technology contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-284539 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Dec. 21, 2010, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

1. A transfer device, comprising: a storage section adapted to store atransmission object list including content identification information ofplural contents individually corresponding to plural content data to betransmitted from a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatusconnected to a client apparatus through the client apparatus; areception section adapted to successively receive the plural contentdata from the server apparatus; a transmission section adapted tosuccessively transfer the plural content data successively received bysaid reception section to the reproduction apparatus; and a controlsection adapted to delete, every time the content data is transferred tothe reproduction apparatus by said transmission section, the contentidentification information corresponding to the content data transferredby said transmission section from the transmission object list stored insaid storage section.
 2. The transfer device according to claim 1,wherein said control section acquires the content identificationinformation of the plural contents from the transmission object liststored in said storage section and produces a content transmissionrequest including the acquired content identification information; saidtransmission section transmits the content transmission request producedby said control section to the server apparatus; and said receptionsection successively receives the plural content data as a response tothe content transmission request from the server apparatus.
 3. Thetransfer device according to claim 2, wherein said reception section canreceive, after transfer of the plural content data to the reproductionapparatus is interrupted, a resumption request to resume the transfer ofthe plural content data to the reproduction apparatus; said controlsection acquires, when the resumption request is received by saidreception section, content identification information of one or pluralcontents included in the transmission object list after the contentidentification is deleted and then produces a content transmissionrequest including the acquired content identification information of theone or plural contents; said transmission section transmits the contenttransmission request produced by said control section to the serverapparatus; said reception section successively receives one or pluralcontent data individually corresponding to the content identificationinformation of the one or plural contents included in the transmissionobject list after the content identification information is deleted bysaid control section as a response to the content transmission requestfrom the server apparatus; and said transmission section successivelytransfers the one or plural content data successively received by saidreception section to the reproduction apparatus.
 4. The transfer deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said control section acquires, when theresumption request is received by said reception section, contentidentification information of one or plural contents included in thetransmission object list after the content identification information isdeleted and produces a content transmission request including thecontent identification information of the one or plural contents.
 5. Thetransfer device according to claim 3, wherein said control sectioncauses the transmission object list after the content identification isdeleted to be retained into the reproduction apparatus, acquires, whenthe resumption request is received by said reception section, contentidentification information of one or plural contents included in thetransmission object list after the content identification information isdeleted from the reproduction apparatus, and then produces a contenttransmission request including the acquired content identificationinformation of the one or plural contents.
 6. The transfer deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said control section causes thetransmission object list after the content identification is deleted tobe retained into the server apparatus, acquires, when the resumptionrequest is received by said reception section, content identificationinformation of one or plural contents included in the transmissionobject list after the content identification information is deleted fromthe server apparatus, and then produces a content transmission requestincluding the acquired content identification information of the one orplural contents.
 7. The transfer device according to claim 2, whereinsaid reception section can receive a starting request indicating thattransfer of the plural content data to the reproduction apparatus is tobe started; said control section acquires, when the starting request isreceived by said reception section, a transmission completion listincluding content identification information of one or plural contentsindividually corresponding to one or plural content data retained in thereproduction apparatus, detects the content identification informationwhich is included in the transmission completion list but is notincluded in the transmission object list, and causes content dataidentified based on the detected content identification information tobe deleted from the reproduction apparatus; and said transmissionsection transmits the content transmission request to the serverapparatus after the content data is caused to be deleted from thereproduction apparatus by said control section.
 8. The transfer deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said reception section receives thetransmission object list edited by the server apparatus from the serverapparatus; and said storage section stores the transmission object listreceived by said reception section.
 9. The transfer device according toclaim 8, wherein said reception section can receive a transmissionobject list which is being edited by the server apparatus from theserver apparatus; and when the transmission object list which is beingedited is received by said reception section, said transmission sectiontransmits the transmission object list, which is being edited, receivedby said reception section to the reproduction apparatus.
 10. Thetransfer device according to claim 8, wherein said control sectionacquires, when playlist identification information for identifying aplaylist in which content identification information of plural contentsindividually corresponding to plural content data is arranged in areproduction order is included in the transmission object list receivedby said reception section, the content identification information of theplural contents which configures the playlist identified based on theplaylist identification information, and further places the acquiredcontent identification information of the plural contents into thecontent transmission request.
 11. The transfer device according to claim1, wherein said transfer device is incorporated in one of the serverapparatus, client apparatus and reproduction apparatus.
 12. A clientapparatus, comprising: a storage section adapted to store a transmissionobject list including content identification information of pluralcontents individually corresponding to plural content data to betransmitted from a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatusconnected to said client apparatus through said client apparatus; areception section adapted to successively receive the plural contentdata from the server apparatus; a transmission section adapted tosuccessively transfer the plural content data successively received bysaid reception section to the reproduction apparatus; and a controlsection adapted to delete, every time content data is transferred to thereproduction apparatus by said transmission section, the contentidentification information corresponding to the content data transferredby said transmission section from the transmission object list stored insaid storage section.
 13. A server apparatus, comprising: a storagesection adapted to store a transmission object list including contentidentification information of plural contents individually correspondingto plural content data to be transmitted from said server apparatus to areproduction apparatus connected to a client apparatus through theclient apparatus; a reception section adapted to successively receivethe plural content data from said server apparatus; a transmissionsection adapted to successively transfer the plural content datasuccessively received by said reception section to the reproductionapparatus; and a control section adapted to delete, every time contentdata is transferred to the reproduction apparatus by said transmissionsection, the content identification information corresponding to thecontent data transferred by said transmission section from thetransmission object list stored in said storage section.
 14. Areproduction apparatus, comprising: a storage section adapted to store atransmission object list including content identification information ofplural contents individually corresponding to plural content data to betransmitted from a server apparatus to said reproduction apparatusconnected to a client apparatus through the client apparatus; areception section adapted to successively receive the plural contentdata from the server apparatus; a transmission section adapted tosuccessively transfer the plural content data successively received bysaid reception section to said reproduction apparatus; and a controlsection adapted to delete, every time content data is transferred to thereproduction apparatus by said transmission section, the contentidentification information corresponding to the content data transferredby said transmission section from the transmission object list stored insaid storage section.
 15. A transfer method, comprising: storing atransmission object list including content identification information ofplural contents individually corresponding to plural content data to betransmitted from a server apparatus to a reproduction apparatusconnected to a client apparatus through the client apparatus;successively receiving the plural content data from the serverapparatus; successively transferring the successively received pluralcontent data to the reproduction apparatus; and deleting, every timecontent data is transferred to the reproduction apparatus, the contentidentification information corresponding to the transferred content datafrom the stored transmission object list.